Just RK

After just about bursting from excitement, I can finally release my newest original rhinestone design! Specifically for DS!! Details about how it works,  what it benefits, and how you can get one are on this page... Just RK Designs Or you can find out about how to win a free one at the Facebook page. Share the word, spread the sparkle!!!

I just got notification that I sold something on CafePress. I had completely forgotten that I set up a “shop,” per se, a few years ago. But someone chose my design out of many options, and I find that so fun!  Partially because I forgot it was on there, but mostly because I actually created the design myself. It’s not a stock image or something.  It was one of the first attempts at image work that I’d ever tried…  and still one of my faves, I must say. So there ya go.  Good times. Thank you R.L. in Ohio for choosing a tshirt with my DS awareness design! In case anyone else wants one….  it’s out there ! This is also kind of funny to me, because now I make shirts like crazy. Another thing I need to update any of you who still come around here about…  I made one for me for Kinlee’s school, and it caught on like wildfire.  I’ve sold 20+ since August, I’ve got over 12 shirts on my hobby table that are waiting to be done, with several more orde...

Thanks to Cate for “in the news” being the first thing I thought of when I figured I’d post a link to an article.  (Don’t ever think you don’t make an impression!) Came across this article today in a very roundabout way I won’t bother to explain. But I thought it was interesting.  Common Core State Standards Don’t Rhyme with Individual Education Plans I’d like to have time to write the 20 posts or so it would take to catch you all up on Braska’s school situation. In a word—Frustrating. Here’s the summary… Positive : She goes to school. She likes to go. She likes the bus. Her teachers are nice. Needs improvement : Behaviors are becoming an issue at school, not at home. (dropping in the hall, not following directions, being goofy in the bathroom, etc) She’s the class clown, it seems. I am getting very little info or communication unless I prod, though they seem willing to share once I do prod. I’m not convinced our placement arrangement is the best, but I can’t figu...

This time it’s for local charity awards, why I think the DSA is a worthwhile cause. ________________________________________________________________ The Down syndrome community is most valuable when it provides just that. Community. Knowing others who are traveling a similar journey, learning from experts who really care about the individuals for whom they are sharing and teaching makes all the difference. The Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis is an organization that takes community seriously, and their members benefit from their commitment to that end. I have benefitted from that commitment. My daughter’s future is brighter because the DSAGSL is walking the path along with us. Some of the best friends I have are those I’ve come to know through our local DSAGSL community group. The most amazing and inspirational moments have been when I’ve been able to share with new parents, through the New Parent Support of the DSAGSL, that a diagnosis that many say is not worth li...

Lately I’ve been asked to write a thing here or there for various purposes.  And I figure if I write them, might as well let them serve double duty as a blog post, right? Glad you agree. This one was for the DSAGSL.org blog on the upcoming WDSD celebrations. _______________________ It’s always nice to have a reason to celebrate, and in the Down syndrome community, March 21 is a great day to do some big celebrating! Chosen because of the numerical similarity to the medical name for Down syndrome (Trisomy 21, 3 copies of the 21 st chromosome), 3/21 each year is a day to celebrate those we love who have Down syndrome and to make others aware of the intrinsic value of individuals with Down syndrome. Only recently has it taken on a larger audience, but World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is becoming a full-blown holiday in many areas. The blue and yellow that are held to be Down syndrome awareness colors are often seen in creative ways on March 21. Locally, many families and gr...

Today I sat with Braska's teacher to chat about what's up. To touch base about how things are going. Braska is in a private school. Small class of 8 in a gen ed setting. There is some assistance for those who need it here or there but no special ed, per se. She does sometimes get help from a teacher who has time to lend an extra hand. She's been getting pulled out more frequently lately, according to her daily report sheet. I wondered what that was about,  as it was during reading and the phonics,  two of her strong areas. So today I asked. Her teacher simply stated that she was benefitting from the one on one to keep her challenged and on a good pace of progress. She said the other kids just weren't ready yet for the level Braska was at. Come again? That's right.  My daughter,  with Down syndrome, the only child with this type of disability in her school, is being pulled out of her academic Kindergarten class because she is reading at about a grade level above...

Today's speaking engagement went well. I think. They seemed to be tuned in,  the six groups of like 40+ 6th graders. That's something. I had too much material to cover (shock...  me? Wordy?) but I managed. I've got some work to do before I hit the speaking circuit, but I enjoyed it. B clammed up and wouldn't even look at the kids. Good thing I had plenty of pictures in my presentation. Overall it was good. Really nice group of kids. And the perk of seeing my "old"  roomie was the best.

Tomorrow, or in 8 hours to be specific, Braska and I head southwest to Rolla for Acceptance Awareness Day. My single-days roomie invited me to speak for one of several stops that 6th graders will make. I'll present the same 20 mins of material 6 times through the morning. I'm looking forward to seeing my friend. I'm looking forward to sharing with the students. I'm hoping I say the right things. And Braska's not without responsibility... She is reading her own introduction. We talked about what she wanted to say. And I put it together for her. The kids cracks me up. But she's turning into a good little reader. Can't believe she's almost 6!! Praying for safe travels,  open minds,  and wise words.

Some days Braska’s OCD tendencies are more frustrating than others.  Today is a “more” day.  The need to touch the wall all the way down the hall as she goes to her room… difficult when there are two small boxes in the way. She could go around, but instead she starts and stops over and over and over. Like she’s going to be able to make her arm rubber this time and stretch to reach the wall the entire way.  This one in particular caused a lot of physical moving of this little picky one.  Luckily she’s light. The need for all doors to be open fully or closed fully.  Sometimes I want the door just slightly ajar, for purposes of proper air conditioning flow, or so that I can hear our little buddy Patrick when he’s sleeping.  But no.  All the way open or all the way closed.  No matter what she’s told or what she agrees to.  She just.cannot.help.it. There are several others.  But today I seem to have less patience for the quirks.  S...

A circle of friends. Ready for the Madison Zoo!

Do you know this area?? If you happen to live on or near that map, or plan to be there in about 10-12 days, drop me a line and let’s get together!  We’ll be doing a family trip north for a new friend’s new baby celebration and a few popcorn-style visits to see buddies “in the neighborhood.”  My girls are SO excited…  if only they had any idea how long they’ll be sitting…

We’ve known about World Down Syndrome Day for a few years, but this is the first time we made it a point to do something. To celebrate.  I just decided we were going to make it like Father’s Day or something… a holiday to be appreciative for DS, to tell others all about how it’s blessed our lives as a part of Braska’s influence. We did several great things…  but I’m more than exhausted.  I was up til 2:18 am this morning getting things done, and I really am feeling the need for sleep hit hard right now. I’ll just share this for now… if you happened to follow Julie and I at some point today, this was your view…   Hope you did some fun stuff… Cheers, WDSD. I think we’ll enjoy you much more from now on.

We’ve got some GREAT stuff planned for today.  That might be why I’m still up (and needing to get to bed soon!) at 1:40am.  But it’ll be worth it…  Tell someone about something great you know about Down syndrome today.  And if you, by chance, aren’t sure what to tell them, just share how great my sweet little button of a girl is!

I could write for days.  Lots of info is being taken in and many things are looking different than I thought it would.  We’re at the beginning of this transition process for the fall, and things are already different than we had understood them to be only recently.  It’s not all doom and gloom, but there are some mental adjustments already needing to be made on my part, so input is welcome. So I want to start with this…. if you have a kiddo (DS or other SpEd situation) that is prepping for Kindergarten or has already been through the Kindergarten thing in the last few years, can you share how it looked for you?  Feel free to email if you’d rather… braskasmom atgmaildot com  I’m specifically looking for glimpses at how the day looked…how much time in the reg ed room and for what activities/subjects, what para support was there and if it was one person all day or different throughout, what pull-out/SpEd/resource room time looked like…also anything from your ...

My friend, known in the blogosphere as “krlr,” is being a catalyst for good things.  She’s helping to put together a group of people who would like to do a fun run during the NDSC convention weekend in DC.  My guess is that this is going to be a hit! She explains it way much better, so go read her post .  But if you are into those things, or if you want motivation to BE into those things, get on the list!  It’s a super cool idea.  Kudos!

I’m watching “A Smile as Big as the Moon” on my DVR right now.  I’m about 25 minutes in and so far it’s cool.  And it doesn’t hurt that there’s a particularly handsome young man featured.  I might be biased.  Anyone else see it this week?? 

How could it possibly be October 31?  I feel like my current schedule is causing days to slip by without my even being aware. Not my favorite thing. Down Syndrome Awareness Month… and I didn’t hit the things I really wanted to talk about.  Does that mean I really didn’t want to badly enough?  Or does it just mean that I didn’t set aside the time I needed to, TV-free and post-bedtime, to formulate properly the thoughts into orderly paragraphs?  For those of you who haven’t been around since the beginning, here’s a few links back to old posts that might be of interest to catch you up on me, us, and life at our house.  The “first date” AKA crazy stalker guy from Montana, the proposal , finding out and telling family we were pregnant, ultrasounds and elevated risk , a day of labor , a special delivery . The favorite of many… the snip/tuck saga . Some hot topic posts… Prenatal testing , taking a stand (still missing it’s part 2) on a...

I hope you’ve been by Braska’s place to see her latest post.  It featured a picture from this morning… and I cannot get enough of that picture.  I see so much there.  I don’t know if I can flesh it all out in writing right now. But I did want to use it for a new siggy. So I played a little today.  I use Photoshop Elements for my various image work, blog designs, logos, blog buttons, and photo edits.  It’s not the big bad professional Photoshop, but I don’t have hundreds to spend on such things.  PSE works just fine for me. After some playing and a lot of changing my mind, I have ended with this…   I’m pleased. I had something different in mind, and maybe I’ll do another later. But I like it.  Credits to Lissa at HunnyBee Design and her Candy Town Kit for the papers and elements that I used to create this. Lissa also graciously did 3 awareness ribbons for me recently, with DS colors. They are here if you’d like to get them from her....

Crazy Beautiful Love is hosting the Hoppin’ for 21 Blog Hop today. v So in my “free time” I’m gonna see if there are a few new cute kiddos to check out. (It’s so nice to see some of our good friends in the list already… Hi Vince ! Hi Kayla !!) Do I get double points for awareness today?  31 for 21 AND Blog Hop ? Oh!  And there IS a prize involved.  If you link up your blog to the Blog Hop, there’s goodies to be awarded! So go check it out ! If you’re hopping over from the Blog Hop, Howdy! Glad you came by!  I’m RK, mom to Braska (almost 5) and Kinlee (2 1/2), wife to M.  We’re in the St. Louis Metro area.  I’m into putting my kids in cute girlie clothes, bows, doing digiscrapping when I get a minute or two, Bears football, and currently a little Cardinals baseball.  I’d love to have you as a blog buddy, so leave me a comment and click on the “members” button on the right, and I’ll be sure to come check out your blog, too!

I was falling asleep during the football game tonight. The game the Bears won! Woot!  But for ME to be falling asleep during football…sure sign that I’m beyond tired in a big way.  So glad for the win though. And now I’m doing my best to make it through the bottom of the 9th to see the Cards win the NLCS and sew up their World Series spot. It’ll be fun to have the World Series in town again in two days. Bring home the win, Red Birds! And we survived another crazy busy, run constantly, overlapping events kind of day.  I need to really stop letting these happen, but what to give up? The job that eats up my weekends that we need for ends to try and meet, the community of local DS friends who are really stepping up to have great events, or the daily chores around the house and for the family.  Tough stuff to whittle down. But the fact that we have so many great things in our life as a family… win. Good night. The Cards just did it. World Series, come on over ...