The Countdown Begins {and Giveaway}

We're only five days away from Sammy's very first Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk! FIVE DAYS! We've been absolutely amazed at the support that has rolled in through the last two months. You can see on our sidebar widget that we're about 80% of the way to our goal of $2,000. I still can't believe we were able to dream of hitting the $2,000 mark.

With five days remaining, I'm feeling like our goal is definitely within reach. If you've been thinking about donating but haven't done so yet, this is the time. We'd really love to have as many people a part of the team as possible. You can give anonymously if you'd like, and no amount is too small. The money goes to the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota for resources for individuals and families with Down syndrome. We have already benefited tremendously from the help they have given us during our transition to this "new normal" I talked about in Sammy's birth story. Since Sammy birth just four months ago, we've met three families here in Duluth with brand new babies who unexpectedly have Down syndrome. The resources for families are incredibly important. Thank you so much!!

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I just had an odd mama moment. I heard Ella in bed calling for me, saying, "Mama, Mama, I'm thirsty." I went up to her room with a very small glass of water, and while she drank it, I thought, how did this happen? When did I become a mama?

Do you ever catch yourself in a moment like that, feeling like it should be years earlier, a time when you couldn't even imagine what it would be like to be the keeper of a little life, let alone more than one little life? Yet when I heard Miss Ella calling for me, I knew exactly what to do and exactly what to say to her that would encourage her to go back to sleep without wanting to crawl out of her bed and see what I was doing. Sometimes I'm just amazed at what has happened on this path of life. I'm married to the most amazing man alive. (It's true. I could write a book with all the proof.) I have two beautiful babies who brighten my world countless times a day with their smiles. I love practically every part of my life (I could do without laundry) and we're on an adventure that's about to take us halfway around the world. Whoa. I can't even get my head around it.

I know this is all rather contemplative. I'm pretty sure I know what's bringing it on. In just three days I'll wrap up the first year of my thirties. Yes, it's my birthday, just around the corner, on Friday. I will be the big three one. I'm not one who hides my age when the day comes around. First of all, I know I don't look it. I hear that all the time. What? You're married? Um, yes. And I have kids. Gasp. I'm used to smiling and saying I'm older than I look. I think it's kind of funny. Second, age brings so many good things - wisdom, experience, adventure. I'll gladly take more of all of the above.

This is going to be a crazy busy week, so I want to have some blog fun just for my birthday. I was recently playing around with a few ideas and created a mug for The Little Yellow Kitchen. I just received two of them in the mail, the only two that exist, and I want to give one away! Yes, you could be the winner of the very first Yellow Kitchen mug!

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this blog post telling me about the best birthday cake you've ever had. Be sure to include at least your first name with your comment. I'll end the comments at midnight on Friday, select the winning post with random.org, and post the winner on Saturday. For an extra entry into the giveaway, become a follower of our blog! You can do so by clicking "Join This Site" in the column to the right. If you're already a follower, let me know in a comment. Be sure to check back Saturday to see if you've won!

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Pete just headed to the hospital for a night of baby deliveries, the little ones are sleeping soundly, and I have a list of costume ideas to put together for the walk this weekend. Sometimes these nights alone are just what a mama needs. I'm going to put in a movie and get to work.

Happy end of September!