Highlights of 2008

January

We went to High School Musical on Ice with friends

February

I celebrated my 27th birthday

March

Jaylin participated in a Soccer Jamboree @ Lemoyne College with Paige, Alyssa, and Alena and Jaylin started playing Special Olympic Basketball

April

Jaylin was in the chorus for his schools play, we celebrated Jaylin's 13th birthday with a bowling party, Jaylin got a piano from his Grandma and taught himself how to play "You Are My Sunshine", and Jaylin started Special Olympic Track & Field

May

Aunt Annette's wedding, Friends Bowling banquet, Jaylin went to CNS Junior Prom with Alyssa, Jaylin was the Challenger flag carrier @ the Little League Diamond Dinner, we took a family vacation to Florida (or as Jaylin says "airplane Florida") where we spent a day @ Universal Studios and Jaylin went in a race car that went from 0-100 mph in 2 seconds are the highlights of the vacation, and Jaylin's classroom participated in Special Olympic track & field event held at CNS that most school disticts special ed program in CNY attend

June

Jaylin participated in a track & field event in Rome, Challengers baseball started, we had to say goodbye to Jaylin's wonderful team of teachers who we had 2 great years with, and we went to 2 graduation parties

July

Jaylin spent a day @ Thunder Island, my cousin Heather's wedding, Jaylin's outdoor soccer started, and Jaylin started bocce

August

We went to two summer picnics, Jaylin started going to Hope's Social Club with his friend Kathleen, we spent a night in the ER because Jaylin had an abscess in his ear (Jaylin was very patient and brave that night), Jaylin played baseball @ Alliance Stadium, we had a Challenger Family Fun Day to celebrate another great season, we went to the Fair, and Jaylin went to Zoo Camp where he had a blast learning and petting animals, especially the elephant (his favorite),

September

Jaylin started junior high school where he was thrilled to find out that Miss W was with him for another year, Jaylin started Friends Bowling League, Jaylin participated in a Soccer Tournament in Rochester, and we participated in the Buddy Walk to raise money for Downs Syndrome

October

Jaylin started Hope Ambassadors (music/dance group), our friend John became Jaylin's new service coordinator, Jaylin participated in a swimming group @ Lemoyne College, many Halloween parties, and trick or treating with Paige, Alyssa, and Donald

November

I took a full time job as a 1:1 aide at Enable, Jaylin started indoor soccer, and Thanksgiving at Aunt Cathy and Grandpa's house

December

Jaylin made the honor roll for the 1st marking period and there was a breakfast held to celebrate, Polar Express train ride in Utica, many Christmas parties, and Christmas with the family

High Score

Jaylin started his 4th year of bowling in the Friends Bowling League at Bowl Mor Lane in September. We love to go to bowling every Sunday. Jaylin loves to eat his chicken and fries, hang out with friends, and bowl. I love to go to see all our friends and get some adult conversation. I especially love getting my hugs for Michael and getting teased by Darius. We always look forward to Sunday mornings. Before today Jaylin's highest score was 114 which he got at Flamingo in May 2007 when we celebrated his birthday with my best friend Will and his godmother/my best friend Annie. Annie couldn't make his other party because she had to work and Will was visiting from DC so we took the opportunity to celebrate his birthday with them. This morning Jaylin scored a 124 his first game which is now his new high score. He also scored a 105 his second game. When the players get over 100 they announce their names so everyone can cheer for them. Jaylin has never had over 100 in both of his games so I am extremely proud of him.

Our Christmas

On Christmas Eve we always do Christmas with my mom's side of the family. We have dinner then sit down and exchange presents. Jaylin was very excited because he got a gift card to Walmart and I got a gift card to Applebee's (one of his favorite restaurants). Of course he knows I'm going to take him with me lol. Jaylin also got some dvds, a cool chair which he can hook his ipod or laptop onto, and a lava lamp. My brother had to work last night so as soon as he got home from work this morning we exchanged presents. Jaylin got a portable dvd player, a tv/dvd player for the car, a guitar, a drum, clothes, new sneakers, dvds, and computer games. I'm sure I'm forgetting things. After we opened presents, Jaylin played with his new stuff while I bummed around for a bit. Around 130, we headed over to my Grandma's house to visit with my dad's side of the family. We stayed for a little over an hour and headed back home. My stepdad made lasagna, pork roast, and mashed potatoes for dinner. It was delicious. After eating, we bummed around for a bit then headed over to my Grandfather's house for a couple hours. We hope that everyone had a great Christmas!!

Bowling Christmas Party

I woke up this morning debating if we should go to Jaylin's bowling league. We got ready and headed to bowling. I figure if we stay home every time it snows then we wouldn't do anything all winter long and would go crazy. We got to the bowling alley and there were a lot more people then I expected. I was glad to see that Jaylin's other team mates were there as well. Ann (Michael's mom) gave Jaylin a chocolate bowling ball and bowling pin. Tina (Darius' mom) gave Jaylin this delicious little chocolate cake that she made and this cute little robot snowman ornament. As we are all sitting and talking Johnny comes in playing his bagpipe and all dressed up in his gear. I am always amazed when I listen to him play because he taught himself to play, he has never had lessons. As everyone was bowling, Santa came to visit and we had a pizza party. I am so glad that we decide to venture on into the snow. It was definately worth it.

Polar Express

We had a busy day today. Jaylin went with Anne this afternoon from 1-4. They went bowling, to the library, and to Walmart. Jaylin spent some of his half of a gift card we received last week. While Jaylin was with Anne I took advantage of getting some stuff done without having to drag Jaylin along. At 430 we got ready to head to Utica. At the Union Train Station they do this Polar Express ride. We went last year and had a great time so we were looking forward to doing it again this year. Last year we went with our friends, Lori and Donald, so I didn't drive. This year they went a different day then us. So I had to get directions. The directions we had from mapquest were not the greatest. We ended up getting lost. I knew we were in the right area because last year after the train ride we stopped at the McDonald's around the corner to grab dinner and I saw the same McDonald's. Well, of course Jaylin was hungry so we stopped at Wendy's (next to the McDonald's) to grab dinner to eat at the train station and asked the cashier for directions. The cashier gave us the wrong directions so we ended up stopping at a gas station and asked a lady in line who gave us the right directions. So we finally made it there. Now that I have drove there myself I will be fine for next time. So we get to the station and get our tickets and eat our food. Jaylin was so excited about getting on the train that he is jumping around and smiling like crazy. We didn't have to wait too long before we headed towards the train. Jaylin and I sat with our friends, Nick and Mark. It takes about half an hour to get to the spot where "The North Pole" is. So Jaylin and I got to enjoy hanging out with Mark and Nick. Mark loves to tell me that I have a green car and then we make jokes so that one of us can sign "NOT" lol. When you get to The North Pole the elves and Santa act out the where the kid gets the first present. Afterwards Santa gets on the train, visits with each kid, takes a picture, and then gives them their own jingle bell. Jaylin was excited to see Santa again and told him he wants to open presents for Christmas. Thats how he answers the question "what do you want for Christmas?" After the train ride we went inside and had hot chocolate and cookies. Then we headed home. We enjoyed ourselves and are looking forward to doing it again next year.

Almost Done

I am almost done Christmas shopping. Since Jaylin and I both had snow days today I took advantage of the extra time and did the bulk of the shopping that I had left. The plan was to grab a few things and ended up leaving with a lot of things lol. I told Jaylin before we headed to the Great Northern Mall that we had to grab a few things, that if he behaved we would stop and have lunch at Friendly's on the way out. I wanted to get as much done before the storm came. My plan was to go to Hollister to get my cousin RJ a shirt, look around at Famous Footwear since they still had buy 1 get 1 half price and I had a $10 off coupon, and go to KB Toys. We did all of that plus some. I'm so glad Jaylin is not into Hollister. I would go crazy if I had to go in that store all the time. You barely can see, the music is so loud, and the smells are overwhelming. My cousin RJ is lucky that I love him lol. After running around for like 2 hours Jaylin was glad when we were finally able to sit and have lunch at Friendly's. I was thinking we made good time and would get home before the storm started but we didn't. The highways were horrible, not plowed at all and no plows in sight. I'm nervous when I drive in the snow, but not scared. What scares me is the other people driving. On one hand you have someone going 5 miles per hour on one side of you and someone going 50 miles an hour on the other side. I was glad when Jaylin and I made it home safely. We enjoyed bumming around the house for the rest of the day.

Our Weekend

I was lucky this weekend and got a 3 day weekend since Syracuse City Schools were closed and my work follows their days off/closings. So Friday while Jaylin was at school making latkes and dipping his chicken patties in chocolate pudding (don't ask lol) I was at home taking a long bubble bath and enjoying some time to myself. I really should have been out doing some Christmas shopping since I'm not done yet but I really just needed time to relax. Before I went to get Jaylin I was all excited about getting gas for 1.59 on RT 31 until I realized once I drove there that I left my wallet at home, gotta love it. After getting Jaylin from school we came home for like 1/2 hour so he could have some "veggin" time. Then we ran to get Kathleen at the Y and went to Hope's Social Club. They watched a movie and had a little meal. As we were finishing up there Aimee texted me and asked me if we would like to join her, Alex, and my brother at Friendly's for dinner. So we met up with them and had dinner. Saturday Jaylin was supose to go with Ann (res hab provider) but she cancelled because she wasn't feeling well so I had to drag him to Sam's Club with me to make our Christmas cards. He wasn't too thrilled about it but handled the waiting and the crowd of people very well. Afterwards we went to Dollar Tree to grab a few things and then had dinner at Tully's. Today we started out with bowling where Jaylin got to hand out Christmas cards to his friends. We also received a gift card from Familycapped to Walmart that we will use after Christmas. Spongebob (for those who don't know, Jaylin has a Spongbob bowling ball) helped him earn a 109 & 87. We came home for a little bit after bowling then headed to our friends, Ann and Mike's house. They were hosting a Christmas party. Jaylin had a blast running around in her unfinished basement, playing games, and meeting new people. Within the last couple of weeks Jaylin has really loved to just run which when it gets warm out again we will be using to both of our advantages. After we left the party we ran to Walmart to grab some stuff for the week and to Dunkin Donuts. As I'm sitting here typing this I am thinking as I do at the end of every weekend, man this weekend went by fast. Mondays always come so fast and Fridays don't come fast enough lol.

Christmas Parties

We had a very busy weekend. Friday morning I went to Jaylin's school for the honor roll breakfast. That night Jaylin hung out with Uncle Rick while I worked. I can't really call it work since I escorted someone that I work with to a Christmas Party). Saturday Jaylin went with Ann, his new Res Hab provider, to the library and Dollar Tree. That night we went to the Special Olympic Holiday Dance. We had a lot of fun dancing, hanging out with friends, and eating. This morning we went bowling. Spongebob helped Jaylin earn a 73 & 103. Normally when the participants get over 100 they announce it but we were the last team there so there was no one to announce it to so they are going to announce it next week. This afternoon we went to the Familycapped Holiday Party. Jaylin got his face painted, picture with Santa, we hung out with friends, and ate good food. We had a lot of fun.

Tagged

Carrie tagged me last week and I am just finally getting to it. Sorry it took me so long Carrie.

8 Favorite TV Shows

1) Jon + Kate Plus 8

2) Days of Our Lives

3) One Tree Hill

4) A Baby Story (I don't get to watch it too often anymore)

5) Army Wives

6) Keisha Cole

7) The Hills

8) I watch some other reality tv crap lol

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1) Worked

2) Picked Jaylin and Donald up at the YMCA

3) Came home so Jaylin could see his new bedroom set

4) Took Jaylin and Donald to Soccer Practice

5) Stopped at KFC for dinner

6) Got Online

7) Spent some time with Jaylin before he went to bed

8) Watched my shows

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To

1) Jaylin's Honor Roll Breakfast on Friday

2) Christmas Parties we are attending this weekend

3) Christmas

4) Getting my income tax

5) Finally getting our own place

6) Going back to school to get my bachelors

7) Watching Jaylin grow up, mature, and become more independent

8) Bowling and Soccer

8 Favorite Restaurants

1) Tully's

2) Applebee's

3) Friendly's

4) Salsarita's

5) Outback Steak

6) Sbarro's

7) Arby's

8) Pizza Hut

8 Things on my Wish List

1) Finishing my bachelors degree

2) Getting a better paying job

3) Working through Jaylin's behavior issues

4) Getting a better car

5) Owning a house

6) Having more children

7) Losing weight

8) Building my self esteem

Bedroom Set

My Mom brought Jaylin a new bedroom set for Christmas this weekend. She didn't have anywhere to store it so my stepdad set it all up today while he wasn't home. My Mom had us stop home before we went to soccer practice tonight. He was very excited about his new set. The set consists of a new bed (my stepdad gave him a mattress and boxspring), computer desk, dresser, and end table. My stepdad also built him this cube thing for his tv and dvd player. He loves that his tv is up high now like in Grandma's room. His old bed, computer desk, dresser, and piano took up most of his room so he really didn't have too much space. With the new stuff and his piano is still in his room he has a lot more space. I will post pictures as soon as we remount his magnetic letter wall in its new spot.