Thursday

Hello there!  Long time no type! :)  Ok, so it seems everytime I blog I have so much to say that you only get the short version.  This time will be no different.  We went through a round of illnesses with the kids.  Nolan and Reagan had a stomach bug.  Karrigan had what I think was the flu.  Reagan and Mac had nasty respiratory/sinus infections.  Mac caught some virus that gave him high fever for several days.  It's been yucky!  But I'm very happy to report that everyone is healthy now! 

Nolan is playing in basketball playoffs, that is a lot of fun.  They won their first game (it's double elimination), tonight is their second game. 

Randy had a CWF show last weekend, it was a good one.  Big crowd, standing room only.  If you haven't already, check out their website  http://www.christianwrestling.com/  or look them up on facebook  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/ChristianWrestlingFederation . 

Report cards come home tomorrow.  We'll see who is rewarded and who is grounded for a month. lol  KIDDING! 

Our week of Spring Break is looking pretty full and pretty fun!!  Usually we do a lot of nothing!  So this will be a nice change.  I hope it doesn't spoil the kids though.  Next year will likely be back to nothing. 

I have some really sweet pictures of Markus on my phone, I will get them on the computer soon and add them to the blog. 

I've had an interesting discussion on facebook.  What do YOU think??  Don't be scared,  I love to hear different views.

 

Candice Carpenter
What do you think about throwing around the word "retard" or "retarded"? Offensive? Ok....go.....


Heather N  don't like the word...

Candice Carpenter I don't mind it. It's not something I say DAILY. But it doesn't strike a nerve with me the way it does other "special needs moms".

Christine M I use to say it all the time but now that I'm older and have Zoe I tell my kids not to say it. Kids use it in a mean way and I cringe when I hear kids say it around us.

Jaimie W   We do use it being silly. I find it more offsensive when used referring to a special needs child or adult. I'm not a special needs Mother, so maybe I am not at liberty to say what would be more offensive? But you asked, Ha!! :)


Gayle T  I say it

Jessica M I think those who take it offensively when being used in a joking way need to get a life! It is part of our society, and isn't meant to do harm. Now if you were referencing someone with a disability then I could see it being taken offensively, but I also look at the person saying it, they are probably uneducated and Retarded themselves! (and I am a mother of a special needs child)

Bobby W  ‎"you do not call a retarded person a retard...you call your FRIEND a retard when they are ACTING retarded"" I have no quams about using the term to make fun of someone when they do something dumb...but I find it unacceptable to make fun of anyone for ANYTHING they cant help,

Carlos Q If it can be taken out of context then I prefer just not to use any of those words.


Holley T  So if it's not okay to say you are "retarded", can I say you are "gay"? Hmmmmm.....

Candice Carpenter Well... I guess I dont mind because I would never call a retarded person, retarded. LoL Honestly, I dont even hear that word in the medical circle! Dont call CPS, but I call my kids dork, freak, goober, etc. I have never ONCE thought they took it as anything but being silly. ANY word, said with hatred, can be ugly or insulting.


Bobby W  homosexuals are gay! lol....sorry I like the double meanings that state the obvious...

Candice Carpenter  Bobby is sooooo gay!

Bobby W  Im Gayness personified....wait...I mean GREATNESS personified...GREATNESS!!

Randy Carpenter It's ritard!!!


Colleen P  I know that any use of the word "retard" can hurt someone with cognitive disabilities or that person's family and friends. That's why I don't use the word in any context. There are plenty of words out there, and if using that word hurts someone, it doesn't hurt the rest of us at all to stop using it.


Candice Carpenter  Randy, you most certainly are a ritard, no matter how this turns out!

Keith P  The words are very offensive when used as insults... whether offense is "meant" or not


Philip  B  your a retard! Jk. love ya

Candice Carpenter  Shut up, gay Phil!

Donna  H  Candice... I love you, and Im not gay or retarded. but thanks for all the smiles from these comments.

Candice Carpenter  Oh Donna, I think WE will be the judge of that!

Candice Carpenter  What about "nerd"?

Philip B  I'm pretty sure my wife and kids prove I'm not gay. On second thought, that's what my uncle thought too and he was gay.

Donna H  LOL Candice, dont judge me.

Brigette  R  Anastasia doesn't like that word when she hears it. She would never use the R word in public though she kills us here calling us all retards,lol. And if she hears anyone using the R word she jumps on it. She's got double standards. :p

Keith P  It's the disability equivilent to the "N" word... The only difference is that more people seem to think that it is still OK to use the "R" word.

Brigette R  I was watching a show a few nights ago, not sure which one, and one of the ladies said that someone was retarded. It caught me off guard because i don't usually (ever) hear anyone saying that in public. Honestly, to me, i feel it just means someone's being silly stupid or acting crazy. But i know for others it means something far deeper. So that's why i don't say it. People could say that Charlie Sheen is acting retarded right now. Actually, no, he's not even silly... he's just crazy.

Candice Carpenter  I LOVE the discussion!! It's the way everyone should work things out..TALKING.

Ok, so how about when someone can't find something and you ask "What are you BLIND?"? Or when someone isn't listening and you ask "Are you DEAF or something?..."? Or how about calling someone crazy? What about when someone asks you to get something for them and you say "You have LEGS!"? LOL Call my Grandpa an "Old Man" in a hateful manner in front of me and I may cut you!!! (I'm kidding people). Do you see what I mean? So much of what we say can be offensive if used at the wrong time or place or with the wrong person. My 11 year old hates being called short!! And she is very average! lol Having been the mom of a special needs child for over 14 years, growing in life experience, being the mother of 5 now (3 who are not typical), and wanting to live a Christ-like life...I think that while we feel other people should be considerate and mindful of us, we should also be tolerant of other people. We don't have to take EVERYTHING so personally. I desperately want to raise my children to be kind and thoughtful to everyone!!! If that was how all children were raised, I think words would just be words and not insults. :)

I don't wanna be right

I did a bad thing!  While Markus has been napping today, I've been reading.  Usually I clean while he naps.  But it's been storming here, the dogs were nervous and wanted to be by me and I'm in the thick of a great book.  What choice did I have really?? lol  I guess if it's wrong, I don't wanna be right!

The kids and I had a TERRIFIC morning!  All of the big kids got to school ON TIME, they were all in great moods and lookin good.  I don't know what happened but I like it.

Markus had his annual evaluation with ECI.  His scores are amazing!!  I will share them when I get a copy.  I am so proud of him!  He also saw the neurosurgeon yesterday at Childrens.  She thought he looked fantastic!  She told Mac "You are one of the luckiest, special boys I've ever met".  How sweet is that?  She ordered a head CT, just for a baseline.  If it looks good (which I'm sure it will), we will just be followed through Scottish Rite.

Things are really great at the Carpenter asylum...I mean home!  Have a great day!

Enemy

When Karrigan was 4 or 5 and she was frustrated or angry at something she would say it's her worst enemy.  Well, I have OFTEN said since then that laundry is my WORST ENEMY!!  I hate it!  I have spent all afternoon washing and drying laundry.  In between loads I unpacked bigger clothes for Markus and packed away clothes too small for Kennedy.  I shouldn't complain, having lots of clothes is a luxury some people don't have. 

Markus had therapy this morning at the house.  Reagan had a doctor's appointment an hour later.  She also has therapy this afternoon.  In case you're a dummy, that's three appointments in one day.  Ugh.  I wonder what Randy will make for dinner.  : D  Do you see what I did there?  I make a joke. lol  Randy make dinner! lol  I crack myself up. 

I just brought Markus size 4 diapers!  He is getting bigger diapers and bigger clothes, a growing boy!  

Time to make the school pick up.  Have a great evening!! 

Monday

It's Monday and it's beautiful!  It is sunny with a slight breeze here in the Dallas area.  I think we will hit the mid 70s today.  We had a full weekend!  Nolan had some stomach bug.  He didn't really feel bad but threw up several times.  Of course, never in a trash can or the toilet! :)  He tripled my laundry! lol Randy worked Saturday.  After church on Sunday he took my car to the shop and got stuck there allll day!  I think he finally made it home around 7:30.  So he never really had any time off.  But I have new brakes and a safe ride!  Thanks Babe!  I had a softball meeting, Nolan had bball game, we went out with friends, church, chores, playing, etc. 

Markus will see the neurosurgeon this week.  I can't imagine that much will happen, since he hasn't had an MRI or anything prior to this appointment.  That kid is EVERYWHERE.  He crawls anywhere he feels like and gets into whatever he wants!  He can pull to stand and steal things off the couch or a shelf.  He is signing "more" and "all done" now.  He waves hello and goodbye.  He knows where his nose is.  He blows kisses.  He gives kisses and hugs.   Nolan is auditioning for the gifted Art program at school.  He has to put together a portfolio, fun stuff.  He is liking basketball.  He practices EVERY day and is learning the concepts of the game.  Karrigan starts back to choir this week.  She and I will start softball practice the first week of March.  Reagan starts soccer the following week.  Reagan has a new little friend down the street.  What a God send that has been.  She is a sweet little girl and they play well together.  I finally made her an appointment with the allergy specialist.  I hope to get that kid breathing through her NOSE!!  Kennedy is doing well, in many ways a typical teen.  She stays on her itouch until it dies.  Then she moves to the phone, tv or laptop.  It is still my prayer that Kennedy will find a special friend.  We only need one! :) 

I think our computer is dead.  I mean, really dead.   :(  Not sure what we will do.  I really need that thing.  It has a lot of my stuff on it, plus it's how I upload pictures. 

Until next time....

V-day

It's Valentine's Day.  Which doesn't mean much around here.  Except I look forward to digging in the kids' goodie bags when they get home from school! :)  I'm completely FINE with not exchanging gifts on V-Day.  Randy knows this and respects it.  I would much rather him treat me lovingly all year and save our money today.  But I have lots of Loves at my house to be thankful for!!! 

Markus is napping and I have been painting.  I am taking a break cause my arm is tired.  Yes, I could be doing something more productive than blogging.  But you could be doing something more productive than reading!  So let's get out of each other's business!  I am painting Nolan's (and soon Markus) room.  It's the first real custom paint job I've ever done.  I'm nervous but excited.  So far it's looking really good.  I took before pictures.  I'll take after as well. 

Everyone in the house seems to be almost well.  We have some lingering coughs and runny noses, but we can handle those.  Karrigan was very sick!  She was in BED for two days, but sick for 4-5.  She missed her last basketball game for the season.  Which reminds me...bball season is over as of last Saturday.  But I have my coaches meeting for softball this Saturday.  The fun never ends! :)

The home improvements  continue.  The new bedroom finally is textured and ready for paint.  I have a beautiful new dishwasher (that CLEANS dishes) and microwave.  We have a shed going up out back so we can begin to clear out the garage.  It's an exciting but very messy time at the Carpenter home. lol 

We made some fun plans for Spring Break!  Can't wait for that. 

I will share some pictures later.  I hope that YOU have a great day! 

Snot

Man... snot has invaded our house!!!  Reagan and Markus have been boogery for over a week.  I woke up this morning with a runny nose.  Karrigan woke up with a sore throat from drainage.  We are iced in today, no school.  Can someone bring us a box of tissue? :)  We are all in pjs, knowing we won't leave.  Markus is getting in to anything and everything.  Kennedy is still in bed, watching tv.  Karrigan went back to bed, not feeling well.  Nolan is playing on the wii and Reagan is watching him.  I have brushed my teeth, just so ya know! lol  But that's about it.  I HOPE to accomplish SOMETHING today.  Maybe start painting Nolan's room.  We'll see.  Oh, I got a new microwave!!  We got it cheap from the scratched/dented place.  It's really pretty!  Randy installed it yesterday.  We went from an old, crusty, broken white microwave to a new, sleek, pretty black one.  My kitchen is very slowly getting a face lift.

Have a blessed day!

Snow days!

We are home from school on our second snow day!  Actually I don't think they are calling it Snow Days, I think it's bad weather days. lol  Which makes sense, because we have NO snow.  Only ice ice baby.  The temps here in the Dallas area are dropping into the single digits.  It's cooooold!  Last night the power companies started rolling blackouts.  It's inconvenient, but I understand it has to be done.  It's just the blaring alarms that go off when the power comes back on!!  Especially at 2am are very annoying!!  Randy's company was closed yesterday due to the weather.  He is back on the road today.  Pray for his safety, please.  Not only does he drive all day, but he often works outside. :( 

I have tons of pictures to upload today.  I will add some to the last blog also, since that's where they belong! 

I have one story to share.  Nolan's bus was about 2 minutes out (it's like clockwork) and instead of getting bundled up to leave, he was writing on a piece of notebook paper.  I wondered if he were doing homework he forgot about.  He finally got his coat on and shoved that piece of paper in his backpack.  I asked him what it was.  He said "it's a list".  I asked a list of what?  He said "Everyone on the bus wants to sit by me.  So I made a list so they know when it's their turn".  Nolan is DA MAN!!  
Markus is so cute all bundled up! 

 
Sitting in his sister's gaming chair with a blankie.

I finally found the zoom on my phone's camera!

Watching Nolan's bball game

 

Karrigan was eating chili cheese nachos at 9am.

 

Sleepy Reagan

At the last CWF show. These must have been taken before the show, because Markus and I ended up sitting in the car the whole time.  He was extremely unhappy about being at the show. 

Reagan holding up one of our homemade signs. 

Garry and Markus, they live together in perfect harmony.

 

 Kennedy

This is an awesome, felony stop right outside my house! lol  Those people went dOwN!

Beautiful Kennedy leaving for school.

Karrigan and I spent about 45 minutes blowing up this ball pit with a hand pump and our mouths!  We had sore arms and cheeks! :) Some friends gave it to Markus, even before he came home. We didn't know what it was going to be until it was completely inflated. The roads have been too bad to get out to find balls, but he has been enjoying it anyway.

This was the first time I've bought the little baby dinners.  They are great on busy school nights!  I thought I would try giving Markus his own spoon. I helped him with several bites. Good effort.

Here you can see the spoon in one hand and him eating with the other hand! lol

Here he has thrown the spoon on the floor and is dumping the food on his tray (how he usually eats).

Just keepin it real!