Waiting on some snow

It's supposed to snow tonight through wednesday, but we'll see! I'm excited for the snow. I know this is off topic, but sometimes the blog might be, as my thoughts are always going and changing, that's just me :) But along with the snow, I wanted to share an entry I submitted to a contest last week on why I love the winter time.

Here it goes!:

I love winter because of the snow. Every time the first flake falls, I think of the last Christmas season that I spent with my father. He passed away when I was 6, so to be able to remember something so long ago is very special to me. It's a memory I'll always take with me. I've never been a morning person, even at that age. But in my father came, bright and early one morning. Jumped on the bed, "Savana wake up!! wake up!" Reluctantly I opened my little eyes to see what was wrong. He opened the blinds beside my bed and I looked out and saw what I had been waiting so long for. The first snow!! I was so excited. It was snowing, and it was beautiful. So out of bed I jumped and into my little snowsuit and off we went outside where I proceeded to have him drag me around in my little pink sleigh (with our beagle Skippy in tow). We were out there all day.. I don't know how you have so much energy at such a young age, but it was literally night time before my mom finally called us to come inside. "One more time dad!" I yelled. He agreed, we went for one more lap then ran up to the house. We took our snowsuits off and laid them on the radiator to dry, then sipped some hot cocoa my mom had been making on the stove. It was a perfect day, and it's the perfect memory. Whenever I see a flake fall, it takes me back to the moment where I looked out my window with my dad at my side, and everything was perfect.

And now onto a topic of familiarity, to love the unloved! I will be writing about this organization for the rest of my life! I can't wait for e-v to look back at this blog and think wow.. my sister is such a persistent advocating girl! 

We have a new thing going on, thanks to the brilliance of Taylah! It's called a blog hop. I had no idea what this meant, I thought it might just be another fun australian phrase! hahaha (she's going to kill me for that) But no! It was an interesting concept, that I think will be very successful! I won't explain it, because at this point I'd like you to head on over to the blog and read about it there! 

But before you go, check out these picture's of my beautiful little sister! Have to keep up on her time line, don't think I've forgotten :) Last post we were at her first birthday, so these pictures will bring us through that summer, her second halloween, and back around to winter! 

e-v and leap! one of her favorite toys

cheesing for the camera ;) a ham like her sister

Forgot to add this one to a previous post, and it's too cute to be unseen!

Ready for winter round 2 :)

hahah look at her expression!! She was cracking me and my best friend Coty up.. she was watching Barney, and this one little boy was very.. interesting with his expressions and singing and she was so shocked, I was dying of laughter

More soon,
Savana

Yayyyy!

Today, I woke up and saw our promo video was done! I was very nervous, because I felt like I could have done a better job on it, but when I saw it all put together my fears were cast aside because I realized we were awesome!! We got our message out, and even if it felt weird sitting here recording the same thing over and over by myself, trying to get it just right, it was worth it!! It's soo awesome, and I love all of the amazing people in it :) More proud of the organization than ever before!! Please, check out our promo video, our blog, and like us on facebook!! Every like is one more person that is showing that they're supporting our efforts to change the world, one orphan at a time.. and to us, that means everything! Thank you so much everyone!

More soon,
Savana

Victory will be ours!! ;) See, even e-v's happy about it!

It's the rainy days

That really get you into the writing mood. I recently signed up to be a prayer warrior on reeces rainbow, and am anxiously awaiting the information that comes in the mail! It's a really exciting concept to be able to put someone else's needs above your own, and I feel that's something I haven't been doing as much as I could. I've noticed that since I've gotten into advocating, I've become a better person. Whether it's me being more patient, more caring. There were times that I would go into a store and stress out because I couldn't buy all of the things that I wanted. Now I can't go into a store without guilt. I no longer want all of the dresses and the shoes. Well I mean, of course I do, but then I think "that money could be saving a child's life". I realized today, that the $20 you spend on a shirt, could be the $20 added to a child's adoption fund, that makes a person look at it and say wow, I think this is affordable. I want to take this child home. That's more rewarding than anything you could buy in a store. Knowing you donated to that child, and now someone is deciding they can take him home? You just changed someone's life; or in this case, you gave them one. 

Since e-v came into my world, I've changed. My perspective has widened farther than I ever thought it could. Not to say I was narrow minded, or prejudiced in any way, but you just definitely think about things differently when you haven't personally experienced them. I remember being so uncertain about the terms being thrown around. "Special needs" "down syndrome" "disabilities".. you always hear the negative things surrounding these words. Why not the positive? Where were the people saying "You know what, it's really a blessing to be expecting a child with down syndrome. People should be envious of the joy that will be brought into your life." Because that's how I see e-v.  

Well, here's the good. 

There's never been a more well tempered child than my sister! I've babysat for other people's children, and they were no where as near as happy as e-v. She would just play for hours then happily drift off into sleep. She literally would only cry if you laughed too loud, and then she would give the saddest pout ever and make you feel horrible. 

You always hear of expecting the differences in appearance. The difference I see, is that they're adorable! They have the cutest little eyes and round faces, everything about them to me is 1,000 times cuter than any other child. E-v was the cutest baby I had ever come across! I know that's bias, because I'm the big sister, but honestly, anyone that's seen a baby with ds will agree. 

How about the developmental delays? Who honestly cares about that? Sure e-v wasn't walking at 6 months or however old you're "supposed" to be, but that made it so much more special when she did! You can savor everything more, because every little step is an accomplishment! We had actually been told at one point that e-v's muscle tone was so low, that they had doubts about her being able to even stand. I wish I knew what doctor that was, so I could go back and show him what a little warrior looks like! E-v walks all over the place, thank you very much! Every new sound that she makes, when she claps her hands.. it's all miraculous. To be able to watch a child learn so much, is a wonderful experience. She is now learning to point when you say certain words. She loves when you say nose :) it's her favorite thing to lay her pointer on. 

I wish people would wake up and see life for what it really is! I wish people weren't so sheltered and stuck in their own notions of what's "right" and what's "wrong".. seeing the institutions overseas makes me so sad. Just the fact that people think what they're doing is helping society makes me want to cry. That was the US, not too long ago! And to think that right now in the US the termination rate of children with special needs is 90%.. isn't saying too much about our countries' mindset either :( 

How could you choose to terminate a child with all of the qualities that I've mentioned above? Loving.. always happy.. cute as a button.. being able to really see EVERY accomplishment.. To me that sounds like the PERFECT child! 

It's plain to see, that people just aren't educated. Why isn't this a subject in school? At my old high school, I've learned that they now have history of ghosts or something like that.. at least 4 fashion classes.. 3 different types of music classes, endless history courses.. Why not a class on different "disabilities" (and I put that in quotations, because I don't believe that anyone is disabled, they just go about learning things a different way and at a different pace.)? A lot of people I know don't even understand what down syndrome is, they just see it as you would from an outsiders perspective; in a negative connotation. I try to enlighten everyone that I can! I think it could really be helpful to a lot of people, to see that EVERYONE deserves the chance at a life! That just because a child isn't "normal" doesn't mean that they don't offer the same love as other children! 

But what can you do, besides educate others? That's really what my blog is all about. (besides e-v of course). I want people to see her greatness! Her milestones.. I want people to look at her and think wow, down syndrome really IS a blessing! Even if one person reads this and because of all the great things they see about e-v, they decide to pass it on to someone else and open their mind.. or they show someone who's pregnant with a child with down syndrome who's heard nothing but negative things, and in turn they change their view and decide to keep the child.. I know that's dreaming big, but that's something I've always done! I have endless ideas, and they're all BIG! Ask anyone that's friends with me. 

I really want to do big things for e-v, for this community, for the orphans overseas. A lot of people at this point are definitely starting to see me in a different light. Every day, when I post things on facebook I know there are people that are being judgmental; they don't understand. Thinking "there she goes with her stupid rants about ds again" But you know what, that's the difference between those people and I. THOSE are the people that I'm trying to educate, and open their minds. Here's to hoping that I can! 

I know this was a long one, so thanks to those who have read it!

While you're here, don't forget to check out to love the unloved, and also check us out on facebook! The more likes we have, the more people will be aware of what we're doing and be able to help! 

More soon,

Savana

Two of e-v's firsts!

Her first photoshoot, and her first birthday!! This post will be all pictures, I'll do some writing next time, I promise :) (but if you do want to read some of my writing, don't forget to head on over to the other blog, and read my letter!)

hahah this one's my favorite!! Soo cute

Honestly.. can't get any cuter.

Sissys <3

Aw! This was when her hair could just barely fit into little ponies! And her dress was sooo cute

Eating her zebra cake!

Anddd looking frightened by it lol!

So thankful for my sister <3 she's the light in my life :)

More soon,
Savana

"...to love the unloved.": In loving memory

"...to love the unloved.": In loving memory: "Once again, we know we said that we wouldn't be posting until January, but sometimes you have to go by your heart, and not by what was plann..."

Everyone please take a moment to check out the other blog that I am a part of, and follow us if you're not already! Thank you.

Savana

They grow up over night

She loved that little mirror!

Ok so, I've come to the conclusion that e-v completely doubled in size overnight! lol the orange pictures were from December..

E-V loves the iphones!

My boyfriend Remi and his new love ;)

And those were from February! Ok, so two months isn't overnight, but she grew up so fast :(..

We had a little photoshoot :), I'll feature these in my next post!! You guys will love them! She looks like such a little baby doll :) 

Before we knew it, it was Easter!! Look at her little tights and cardigan! That fashion sense comes from her sissy ;)

I'm so excited for my next post!! I'll put up pictures from her shoot, and from her first birthday. Are you guys excited!! :) We're already almost through her first year in pictures! How crazy is that?

It was at this point that E-V's obsession with her little blue seahorse began. It was this stuffed toy with a hard yellow belly, and when you pressed it, it would glow and play a song. She wore that thing out until the music sounded demonic! lol it was so slowed down from being played so much.. So then began the Barney phase. Which I didn't mind, because that used to be my favorite show!! Funny how you still remember the songs :p

More soon,
Savana

From the past

Today I've decided to share a letter that I wrote to Oprah, in hopes of her doing a show dedicated to Down Syndrome. I never heard back, but I'd like to think that you guys will appreciate it :)

"Underneath this I see show ideas. Movies, new trends, burning questions for tyler perry? If you can take the time to put those things into a show you should be able to take the time to make it about something that matters. Show a world that people often glance past; a life with down syndrome. My little sister was born 2 years ago. My mom was told many times by countless doctors that she could have anywhere from mild to severe mental or physical disabilities, and the "best" option would be to abort her. My mom was appalled, how can someone be so cruel? Telling you to just abandon your child because they might be a little harder to take care of? Well my mom's the strongest most loving person I've ever come across, and she knew better than that. My father passed away when I was 6 and she raised me, worked 2 jobs and went to college, she can handle anything. So she kept the baby and 8 months later my sister E-V was born. She is the most loving adorable child you will ever lay your eyes on. She is so smart and she just has so much love for everyone, she brings a smile to everyone that meets her. She is a miracle, she works harder than the average child to do things that people say she can't. She's the most amazing person in my life and I am so proud to be her sister. I wish people could appreciate her more for all of the things she can do instead of placing emphasis on the things that she struggles with. If you made a show featuring people like her, showing that just because you have a disability, just because someone says you can't, it's only that much better when they see that you can. Open up the door for people with disabilities, show success stories! You feature movie stars and singers all the time because they can read lines off of a script or sing a simple song, feature people who truly matter. People who are extraordinary because they were told they wouldn't be able to do something as simple as stand, but end up surprising everyone and can walk around for hours. Put my sister on this show so that all of the doctors that told my mom she'd be better off without her can see how great and smart and loving she is, maybe they'll think about it in a different light. That's all I want, is for people to think about the greatness that she holds; not the disabilities."

And next on her timeline, her first orange :)

More soon,
Savana