Flashback Friday

Caty was almost 17 months in these pictures.  We had just gotten Jinx.  Oh if only they were both that tiny still!
Look at the curls in Caty’s hair and how blonde it was!  I wish she still had those curls! 

Simple Woman’s Daybook – October 7th, 2010

FOR TODAY – October 7th 2010
Outside my window...   the breeze is blowing and there’s a really annoying bird that won’t stop squawking!
I am thinking...  how AWESOME it is that my parents are celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary today!
I am thankful for...  my family!
I am wearing... capris, t-shirt and a sweatshirt
I am creating... Christmas wishlists for the girls
From the kitchen… not much happening in there this morning
I am going...  to leave in a bit to pick up Caty from school
I am reading... The Time Traveler's Wife – by Audrey Niffenegger – I know, I’m still reading it – haven’t had much time for it lately, but I’m busy!  Jenn – I’ll finish it eventfully and send it to you. 
I am hoping... that when Hanna has her eye surgery that it really does clog those tear ducts because the constant eye goop is really driving me nuts!
I am hearing... the birds chirping – the annoying one is gone thankfully!
Around the house...   Hanna is watching Sesame Street and yelling “ERNIE” – she loves him!
One of my favorite things...  hearing Caty telling Hanna that she loves her!  <3
A few plans for the rest of the week… tomorrow we’re going to meet some friends at the park for lunch –shh!!!  It’s a surprise for Caty!, Saturday night I’m going out with some girlfriends to hear the Chris Gardner Band play, Sunday maybe a playdate with some LPA friends from the Bay Area – gotta work that out.
A picture that I am sharing... is from our trip to Apple Hill this past weekend!  I LOVE how Caty was helping Hanna around the apple orchards. 

Wordless Wednesday (a day late)

Flashback Friday

Between my Junior and Senior year of high (summer of 93) I spent a month traveling through Europe with a group of 16 high school students.  It was one of the most incredible experiences in my life!!  We visited 7 countries – Holland, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy and Spain.
This is the Lion Monument in Lucerne Switzerland.  The lion is HUGE!!  In the picture are my friends Michelle (my Nashville traveling buddy) and Jacqui.  The guy holding me is Rod Liner, who was the US History teacher at my high school and the head adult on the trip. 
 
Enjoying the sunset in Salzburg Austria with the Salzburg Cathedral behind me

Enjoying the Eiffel Tower at sunset

On the beaches of Nice France

The Port of Monte Carlo, Monaco

A statue of Anne Frank outside of the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam Holland.

In Holland you have to try in some clogs, right?

And when at the Heineken Brewery you MUST drink beer!

In a small town, I believe Edinburgh Switzerland

Goofing around with the 1972 Munich Olympic Games Stadium in the background.

And finally at the Hofbrau House in Munich

I have so many more pictures in my photo album from the trip, but there are the only ones that are actually scanned onto the computer. 
What a fun trip this was!

Raising Dwarfism Awareness

Caitlyn was diagnosed with having Achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism, about an hour after she was born.  Tears were shed as we hadn’t gotten the daughter we were expecting, but as the past 5 years have gone by we wouldn’t change a single thing about her.  She has opened our eyes to the acceptance of everyone's differences. 
Shortly after Caty was born I stumbled upon the poem “Welcome to Holland”.  When I read the poem, I was struck by how inspiring it was for anyone who has experienced a loss; our loss being a child of average height.  More importantly it reminded us to not spend a lifetime mourning what might have been, but to look at our loss as an opportunity for discovering something very different, but perhaps as equally wonderful.
Over the past 5 years, we have gained an incredible POLP (Parents of Little People) family and I am so thankful for each and every one of them!  I love you all!
Last year it was made official – October has been declared as Dwarfism Awareness Month.
So I’m spreading the word about dwarfism.
LITTLE PEOPLE OF AMERICA RECOGNIZES OCTOBER AS NATIONAL DWARFISM AWARENESS MONTH


October has been declared National Dwarfism Awareness Month by Little People of America. Little People of America (LPA) is a national support organization for people with dwarfism and their families. LPA provides peer, parent and medical support for the dwarfism community.

LPA began in 1957 with actor Billy Barty and 20 short-statured friends. The first LPA meeting was monumental for a group of people who were severely mislabeled and misunderstood by society. Today, Little People of America is a thriving international organization providing much needed support, education, educational scholarships, and community outreach.
In declaring Dwarfism Awareness Month, LPA hopes to raise positive awareness around dwarfism, address common misconceptions, and increase opportunities for people with dwarfism around the country.
“People with dwarfism are no different than any other person. We may just need a well-placed stool. Our members are children, college students, business professionals, doctors, engineers, mechanics, artists and teachers. We can do anything an average-height person can do,” says Lois Lamb, LPA President and a person with dwarfism.
"Raising a child with dwarfism is new for most parents. Being part of LPA has made a tremendous difference. My daughter and I both have great friends and role models. High school is not an easy time for most teens, but neither of us feels alone in dealing with any extra challenges," says Joanna Campbell, average-height mother of a teen with dwarfism.
More about LPA and dwarfism:

• There are over 200 distinct forms of dwarfism and skeletal dysplasias.
• People with dwarfism are generally not taller than 4' 10" at adult height. The typical height range is 2'8" to 4'5".
• Eighty percent of people with dwarfism have average-height parents and siblings.
• There are an estimated 30,000 people in the United States and 651,000 internationally with a type of dwarfism.
• In July 2009 the word "midget" was declared inappropriate and offensive. Preferable terms are: having dwarfism, short stature, little person, lp, and the medical terminology use of dwarf. A person's name is always the most preferred.
• LPA has registered a complaint with the FCC over the use of the "m" word.  Our goal is to raise awareness around the offensive impact of the word in order to eliminate use of it in media, popular culture and in everyday language.
• LPA has 6500 members across the United States and includes 70 chapters active in all 50 states.
• Skeletal Dysplasias affect bone growth, but generally do not affect cognitive abilities.
• LPA hosts an annual national conference each July which draws 2500 attendees for a week of activities, including educational and medical workshops, sports, and social networking and events.

For more information about National Dwarfism Awareness Month, please visit www.lpaonline.org or call 1-888-LPA-2001. Events supporting National Dwarfism Awareness Month will be occurring throughout the United States all during the month. Contact the chapter in your area, or the Regional Coordinator for Dwarfism Awareness Month listed on the website.

The National Dwarfism Awareness Month program is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about people with dwarfism.

Mission of LPA "LPA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with dwarfism throughout their lives while celebrating with great pride Little People’s contribution to social diversity. LPA strives to bring solutions and global awareness to the prominent issues affecting individuals of short stature and their families."


The LPA National Office is located in Southern California.