Games #3

Appropriately named #3, we are going to have a 3 for 1 Thursday! I have a double post for last week's theme and will be posting a new theme as well.

I had planned to do this post even before the president's chief of staff was under fire from the Special Olympics organization for his insensitive remarks, private or not.

It has been 1 year since my husband's godson (we like to call him our nephew too. :) ) was born. He is such a wonderful, joyous, energetic, smart little man. He has such a robust personality and knows EXACTLY when to pull out the pout and tears. He smiles constantly and makes any and all problems vanish with one look. Often, if I am having a bad day, I will stop by just to hug him because he just has a magical way of making it all better. He is a wonderful little boy who is also living with Down's Syndrome, but defies all definitions of children/people with Down's Syndrome.

A week or so ago, I was speaking with his mother about volunteering. She had a great idea for my new business. the Special Olympics is always looking for volunteer photographers for their events. I could spread the word and get some remarkable pictures of remarkable people. I thought that sounded great for about 5 seconds in which I thought just volunteering for the games would be better. Business or no business, I have always wanted to volunteer for a great cause and this would be the one. I am going to volunteer with my friends with and without pictures.

This is a big step. Usually I have just enough time to volunteer to do laundry and end up donating instead. Donating is also very important, but this year of 2010 is different. As I said before, I am going to get healthier. Laundry, dishes, showers can wait (ok maybe not showers) and some things which are way more important are going to replace them in my datebook.

But don't worry, I am still going to be donating. My clothes go to Goodwill (www.goodwill.org) rather than consignment (although I could probably fund new clothes with my old if I did use consignment!), the March Of Dimes (www.marchofdimes.com) is a fantastic organization that reminds me every day and year I have a healthy child and others should too. I give heavily to the March Of Dimes so every child has a fighting chance.

Do any of you volunteer? Do you get involved in community? What are some of your favorite charities to support?

And since I cannot rave about this fabulously, amazingly cute little man without actually showing you what he looks like, here is a pic of him with his "god-brother/big cousin" at Christmas.

Snow Games

The night before last, brought some fun to VA...SNOW! Now being the good Northern NY-er that I am, I was extremely excited! School was cancelled so I knew my son's friends would be home. I let him play hookie to play in the snow. He stayed out for HOURS! Even though we got only about 6 inches, and it was in the 40's and sunny yesterday, the kids had a blast making snow forts. I honestly think we have several young architects in our cul de sac. Even the dogs got into it! My dog hates the cold and snow, yet LOVED it yesterday. I guess we were all in need of a snow day. Most of it has melted down, but don't worry, we will get another 18-24 inches tomorrow and Saturday. YEAH!!!

This snow wasn't just fun, it was beautiful when it fell. I know that i am a snowbird, but this time no one could deny it was amazing. I went out to take pics the night it fell. awesome. Thank you mother nature for this reminder of your splendor.