May Fun

it's always fun to squirt mommy.

Discussing the Rules of the Road.

He's a natural.

Evi and her inch worm.

The Graduate

Such a handsome guy.



Robert and his teachers.

New York

Our hotel.

Statue of Liberty


Getting a hot dog from a street vendor.

On top of the Rock.



Dinner at Mesa Grill

In a New York City cab.

I couldn't believe this is how they do garbage in the city.

My feet were killing me so I had to sit down. And um yes they served wine in a straw cup.



Dessert at Hard Rock New York

I love when they come down the stairs like this.

Robert's field trip to the zoo.

First time on a school bus. Do you think he was excited?

Jimmy, Robert, and Cameron at the elephants.



Here he reported that the penguin didn't bite him.

Looking at the penguins.

Looking at lizards.

Best buddies

Cameron and Robert

Looking at the seals.

He said he was being brave.

Here he is telling me how cold it is.

Mother's Day (a little late)

This mother's day I was awakened with kisses and hugs as well as the chorus of "happy mother's day" from at least two out of three kids. They all climbed into bed and proudly presented my breakfast. Jeremy was in toe carrying a beautiful boquet of flowers and a card. Normally I hate to be awakened by anyone really, but since it was already 9:00 a.m. I thought I aught to get up. I'm not really sure what I ate for breakfast, Jeremy informed me that Evi made most of it. Then of course she was so excited to give me the gift she made for me at school.

Robert had given me his handmade gift earlier in the week so now it was Evi's turn. She brought it home on Friday and was able to keep it a secret from me until Sunday (I was quite impressed.) Evi's gift was a beautiful kitchen towel with her handprints on them. I was telling her today that I am afraid to use it but she assured me the paint wont come off. Robert's gift was a vut out of his hand with flowers on all the fingertips.

We visited Jeremy's mom and grandma after church but other then that we really didn't do anything. I was able to get in a 3 hour nap so that's always a great gift.

Beach Day

Evi had a beach day at school on Thursday. She got to wear her swimsuit and bring a towel and shovel. She said it was an awesome day. There was real sand in the classroom and she even surfed. When i picked her up from school she was wearing a scuba mask and all the kids had red noses.

Regular Moms versus Special Needs Moms


Moms, a stranger walks among you. We look like regular moms, but we are the hybrid to your standard engine. Our child's disability altered us, enhanced us. Many words describe us: resilient, creative, protective, emboldened, sympathetic, fierce and determined. We are special needs moms. How do our lives stand apart from your own? Take a look under the hood and see for yourself.



Regular moms tell their kids to wake up and get dressed in the morning. And they do it.
Special needs moms put on battle gear to get our kids ready to start their day.
Regular moms ask their kids if they brushed their teeth.
Special needs moms prompt, “Brush your top teeth. Brush your bottom teeth. Did you get the sides? Open your mouth. My God, give me that toothbrush! You’ve left half your meal in there!”
Regular moms wave goodbye as their kids run off to catch the school bus.
Special needs moms get awesome door-to-door bus service for their child.
Regular moms know the names of all their friends.
Special needs moms know most of their friends by their username.
Regular moms judge other moms when kids have tantrums in stores.
Special needs moms say to themselves, “Hmm, I wonder which disability he has?”
Regular moms complain about driving their kids to sports and recreation classes.
Special needs mom grin and bear the weekly trips to tutors, doctors and therapists.
Regular moms’ kids have a teacher.
Special needs moms’ kids have a team.
Regular moms talk about accomplishments.
Special needs moms talk about skills, as in play skills, conversation skills, life skills, social skills and vocational skills.
Regular moms relax with their kids during the summer.
Special needs moms start their second job as home teachers, therapists and skills coaches.
Regular moms think accommodations refer to hotels.
Special needs moms have memorized the top 20 accommodations for their child.
Regular moms hope their child finds a good career.
Special needs moms are hopeful someone gives our child the chance to work.
Regular moms soak in the tub when they want to unwind.
Special needs moms consider a bathroom break a luxury.
Regular moms enjoy reading the latest best-selling book.
Special needs moms should receive an honorary degree for all the disability books they've read.
Regular moms go out for dinner and a movie with their husbands every month.
Special needs moms have a date night with their husbands every…wait, what decade is this?
Regular moms complain their kids won’t eat their vegetables.
Special needs moms are so desperate we consider chicken nuggets to be a legitimate meat product and throw in ketchup as a vegetable.
Regular moms’ kids go to play groups.
Special needs moms’ kids go to therapy groups.
Regular moms meet for a ladies night out.
Special needs moms get together at support groups and forums.
Regular moms have medical claim forms that fit in one file folder.
Special needs moms will tell you a small forest was cut down so we could receive our claims.
Regular moms think OT means overtime.
Special needs moms know more acronyms than a NASA engineer.
Regular moms have time to cook a full dinner every evening.
Special needs moms will never admit how many times we've picked up fast food.
Regular moms complain their husbands sit on the couch while they do all the work.
Special needs moms...well how about that? Some things DO stay the same!

Remembering Bernie today

Today marks the day that Bernie Babel went to be with the Lord six years ago. It so hard to believe that he has been gone for six years. I wish he could be here to see his grandkids. I know he would be over the moon for them. I especially think he would get a kick out of Evi. So much has happened since he has been gone. Willy got married, Mary I. got married, Jeremy adopted 2 beautiful kids and fosters many others, and Ben continues his legacy at Big Run. Today Bernie's family remembers what an amazing man he was. A devoted husband and father, active member of his community and church, and of course a champion golfer (I threw that one in for Bernie.) Bernie was a friend to everyone he met and would do anything for everyone. I know he is looking down at his family from heaven and is proud of all of them. He has four amazing children who grew up to be pretty amazing adults. All his children graduated from college, went on to get masters degrees and continue to extend themselves outside their family through mission work such as Pud's Builders (also known as Hills and Hollars.)

I didn't know Bernie as well as many people did but I do remember his weekly phone calls when Jeremy and I were first married. He would always call on his way home from work (sorry Oprah) just to see what was going on, I always wondered why he didn't call Jeremy's cell phone but I think he knew he would get way more information from me. He loved having us over for Sunday dinner, one of my favorites was his homemade soup. Bernie's life touched so many people which was evidenced at his funeral and wake. Although he is gone from this earth he will never be gone from our hearts and his legacy lives on through his children.

Thank you Bernie for all that you did during your years here on earth. You were a great example to us all. I especially thank you and Nancy for Jeremy. You would be so proud of him, he is like you in all the best ways.

Tribute to my mom

Super clean, Huge heart, Dear friend