My name is Jessica Garwood. I married my husband Devin Garwood in February 2004. We had our first child, Brody in 2005. We knew we wanted to have more children so we started trying right away. Unfortunately I was unable to get pregnant. We tried different fertility pills and different doses but nothing was...
When I instagrammed this picture a couple weeks ago I received lots of comments about the vintage Fisher Price Little People camper set. Which, to be honest, was sorta the point. Yes, notice my cute kid first, but please don’t let her cool toy go unnoticed. Lamp got this camper set for Christmas and it...
No way! I can't believe you had this set…glad I could be a flashback for you. And that's so funny that you too love playmobile…I love that they're still childish, if that makese sense…it seems that so many toys aimed at younger children have a certain grown-up appeal (Barbies and those horrible Bratz). And I sorta love/hate all the teeny-tiny playmobile parts…they make it so cool, but so easy to lose too. Can't have it all…ReplyCancel
Keri–Yes! That's what I love about these little sets. I know people think Waldorf style toys make for the best make believe since they don't already tell a story, but I know my kids mix them all up and use them with other toys too…so I think they're still plenty imaginative. Glad to know your older girls still love them. ReplyCancel
I saved my kids' Fisher Price zoo and airport from the 80's. My grandkids LOVE playing with them. My daughter can't believe that I still have every piece, down to the steaks for the lions. She was able to score a vintage zoo just like mine STILL IN THE BOX (!) from Craigslist for next to nothing. Made Santa's work very easy this year. ReplyCancel
Wow! I never saw this complet set. Thank you for sharing your photos. I never had those toys when I was kid. But I remember my cousins had some (it was the only reason I wanted to go to their house). I bought a few for my kids end all three (2 girls and a boy, from 5 years old to 11) them love them. Also thank you so much for your blog. My boy was born with some physic abnormalities and he had some sever delays in is development. Now he is 5 and after al lot of therapy he's doing great (he's started regular kindergarden) and his physical differences are not as obvious (thanks to the operation for his ptosis). But they're still some hurtful stares, comments and questions (fortunately, less and less). Your blog and the moms' testimonials are a great confort. Merci. (sorry for my poor English).ReplyCancel
When I was 23 my mom took me on a trip to New York City with her design class (she taught interior design at a local community college and was fortunate enough to get to take a few trips to NYC with her students). Part of that trip included tickets to see Les Miserable on...
I was named after the character Cosette from Les Mis, and because of that I have always loved anything to do with the musical: the songs, the story line, the play itself, especially the most recent movie. I was so enraptured by the character that shared my very unique name. I am glad my parents named me Cosette because it gave me such a special connection to this powerful story.ReplyCancel
i love the story. but, i think the musical is totally boring. (everything takes so long!). but! i love the music. i know that doesn't make sense, but its why i loved the movie: i can actually see what's going on plus there's music.
i've been too chicken to read the whole book. so rock on. i'm totally impressed.
So glad I'm not the only one! But I seriously hope to have a different experience after finishing the book.
Don't be scared reading this…I mean I know it's overwhelming and I felt the same way, but I think the best advice I was given was just take it slowly, and let the masterpiece unfold…ReplyCancel
I saw Les Mis on Broadway as well, and I left feeling like I just didn't "get it." Everyone was raving and gushing, and I thought, I missed something, I didn't pay attention enough, etc. I'm glad you posted this, b/c for the longest time, I have felt this way when people rave about the show. I am a book person, so maybe the book is the way to go. I look forward to your review.ReplyCancel
The book is about the miserable. It's about people who aren't supposed to count in society. Hugo is trying to show us that everyone should be treated with compassion and understanding. The he sets it against a backdrop of French historical events. Besides the really long section on Waterloo, it's a really good book.ReplyCancel
You need to get a copy of the concert album and get to know the music. This was how I was first introduced to Les Mis, which motivated me to read the book. The music is so emotional that it makes the story even better. If you are familiar with the songs, I believe you will enjoy the movie better.
I saw the musical first, and liked it. Then the summer after my senior year in high school I read the book. I loved the book. It is my favorite book ever. It gave me so much to think about, and so much to be grateful for. I must warn you that I walked around my house crying for several hours the day I finally finished the book. Words can't explain how I felt ending that wonderful story. Once you are done and see the movie I think it will blow you away. How can you not be moved seeing Fantine's slow descent into a world she desperately is trying to avoid?ReplyCancel
I saw the musical in Boston during the summer after my sophomore yr of college. I had never read the book, didn't know the story, and I had NEVER been to a professional stage production of anything (I am from a small town). I went alone because none of my friends would shell out for a ticket.
From the moment the curtain rose, I was ENTHRALLED. I am sure it was the spectacle of it, as much as the story, but I will always have a soft spot for Les Mis. I read the book the next summer, when I had a terrible internship in DC and spent hours sitting on the train. The book, too, just swept me away.
I now know I am a sucker for sweeping stories. I am equally smitten by Look Homeward Angel, Absalom Absalom, Our Mutual Friend, and Uncle Tom's Cabin. I even loved Moby-Dick. My husband calls my library a doorstop collection. :> ReplyCancel
ummm. SERIOUSLY!? That BOOK!? WHERE of WHERE did you find it. I am one of those LOVERS of Les Mis! I saw it on TV on PBS when I was really young.. I didn't know what it was… but I knew I loved it AND I had to DO IT. It's probably one of the earliest moments I knew I wanted to be an actor. Now that I'm all grown up, I'm baffled by the spiritual meanings in the show. I LOVE IT! I've never read it… not sure I want to… I guess I'll see how reading it goes for you! But I LOVED the show, I LOVED the movie (except for Russell Crow… TOTALLY RUINED IT!!!) and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the cover of your book!! AH!ReplyCancel
Erin–I should have put a link, this is just one of the Penguin clothbound classics that they're publishing in these amazing covers. There are quite a few beautiful books out like this…here's a link:
http://cn.penguinclassics.com/static/penguinclassicspubsets/clothbound.html
I actually ordered it through a local bookstore so I could get what I wanted but support a local place at the same time.
And of course you loved it instantly! You should definitely tackle this book…don't let the size scare you, I do like it so far. ReplyCancel
Wow lady, I'm proud of you. That book is no small undertaking. I am among the millions who *LOVE* Les Mis, grew up listening to the music and have seen the live musical a few times– the last time being in college and I just bawled, BAWLED through it. I didn't know until a few years ago that I have a possible blood connection… My genealogist parents believe that one of my ancestors may have actually fought in the French revolution. Booyah.
I don't know if I'll ever take on the book but I still think I NEED that gorgeous copy.ReplyCancel
Wow, i am so surprised you guys find this book "a great undertaking"! I read it when i was 14 (translated to my native russian) and I found it so easy to read. It is one of the books you cannot put down, the language is so lovely and the story so easy to follow. The musical though? Totally boring, so I can totally relate to your impressions of it, Miggy!ReplyCancel
I read the book when I was in graduate school in Chicago. I couldn't put it down. There were a lot of other things I should have been doing, lol! I love the musical (really an opera, since it's sung throughout) too. I did know the story really well from the recording, so the first time I saw it on stage, I could easily follow it. I found the book easy to read, though I only skimmed many of the battle descriptions. DH and I saw it when it was in San Antonio last year, and it was a really great production. Can't wait to see the movie, but I haven't had a chance yet.
While talking with friends about the recent movie version, I noticed that back when I was 16 (listening to the music and reading half of the book *cringe* in anticipation of seeing my first broadway play) my immediate connection was Eponine and her unrequited love. I couldn't think of anything more tragic. Now that I'm older, I connect deeply with Fantine and Jean Valjean. That theme of sacrifice and redemption resonates with me particularly now. Enjoy, girl! You've inspired me to go back and finally finish the book. 😉ReplyCancel
Hello there! It is such a blessing to be able to share our son Jack with you. After not meeting age-appropriate milestones, Jack was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the age of 9 months old. At the time of his diagnosis, we were unsure and fearful of the future, but today we are hopeful and...
You make such a beautiful family and YES! I am so IN LOVE with that first picture of JACK!! He is such a blessing! And even more, I was so taken by the relationship between Will and Jack. I just love reading about sibling relationships, they melt me like butta!! Special needs children on their own are something to behold and then the sibling set is a whole other story, as they will forever be their protector, their love, their everything. Funny coming from me though, we adopted a child and choose not to adopt again. We provide doggy sibling sets though ; )
There's a place we used to go in Philadelphia called, The Institute for the Achievement of Human Potential and I will never forget this story. I will give the Cliff Notes version. But I couldn't stop the tears from falling when they told us. There was a small child carrying his special needs brother and someone asked, "isn't he heavy?" The child replied, "He's not heavy, he's my brother." That sure speaks volumes as to how they really feel inside, doesn't it?
This is Susan. Basically the newest member of our family. So when I was at the Estate Sale looking at all these amazing doll clothes and trying to figure out how I could justify purchasing some of these gems, well it turns out some of those clothes were made for this little doll on a...
Hello my sweet Miggy 🙂
I am doll maker and just wanted to tell you, to get Susan's hair a little softer, put a generous amount of har conditioner in it, then wrap it in cling film (seran wrap) and leave it for a 3-4 hours. It will come out silky soft.
Yes they do not make them like that anymore, I agree with you 🙂 I also would take a Susan any day of the week rather than one of the new dolls they have come up with!
Please know that this post had me laughing until I was crying… Yes, B can fix anything! ( A little but well known fact, Dentists are also great carpenters/DIYers… and B excells at these things, as well as Dentristry!) Now in my house, I would have truly been hysterical if my Father (beloved as he was) would have had my doll's head off… because he could not fix anything.
And love the part…"you're not a real member of the family unless you have your head ripped off from time to time."
Most of all LOVE that PSP LOVES this doll… how very precious! And Lamp gets to babysit her all day… how sweet is that! Susan was a great find…meant to be.
OH MY GOODNESS! I had that doll as a little girl!!! "Beautiful Crissy with beautiful hair that grows" (I can still hear the jingle). I wanted her with every fiber of my 8 year old body. She was hard to come by, but Santa came thru. She had an orange sheath that had a lace overlay. PSP has great taste in dolls.ReplyCancel
I am DYING! I LOVE Susan! I am such an old woman when it comes to stuff like that- if I have girls, I hope they have ZERO interest in those ridiculous/too old-for their age- looking BRATZ dolls. And don't even get me started on sweatpants with writing on the behind….Haha….
All old-woman-nagging aside, Welcome to the family, Susan! You are loved! 🙂 ReplyCancel
I remember this doll also – but I think PSP's is more lovely than any version I ever saw:
http://www.hairromance.com/2012/05/the-crissy-doll.html
I will admit that I fought like the devil against my own girls' AMerican Girl doll acquisition. They have one each, and four years later, I have to say that those dolls are worth every penny, and are much loved and played with for hours on end. I wouldn't have more than one per girl (a girl on her street has ELEVEN, I kid you not), but each of my daughters will never remember her childhood without thinking of her doll. Priceless.ReplyCancel
proof that sometimes San Antonio does indeed have grey skies… I’ve had a slow start this week, but here I am. We had a good weekend. Saturday was one of those lazy days where we start out with no plan and just follow our instincts until we look back and realize, hey…we did good. It...
Great Post! It's very nice to read this info from someone that actually knows what they are talking about. REO notes for Sale
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Hey you guys–I know it’s been a while but here is part 2 of our spotlight with the amazing Green family! You can read part 1 here. Also, the intro below is the same one from week 1, just so you’re not confused. Hello there! We are excited for a chance to share our...
Hey Miggy – I had the pleasure of meeting Jer, Taylor, Parker, and Graci in Guangzhou PRC during the Green's adoption trip for Graci – and I have to admit that Jer and I "bonded" like brothers in the first 5 or 10 minutes of that meeting! We were Blessed to spend several days together – and have been in "communications" since. There's a deep connection there that defies language.
You did a great job capturing a part of the Green's – but just in case it didn't come through – the whole bunch of them are among the finest folk I've had the pleasure to meet during my time on this Earth – there is a "spark" there that can only be experienced to be understood!
Finally – during the adoptions we've made I have to say that there is a "connection" between adoptive families – a kind of a "comfort" that they seem to all share. I guess I've always considered that to be an unexpected "value added" benifit to being an adoptive family – we have a HUGE extended family that we knew nothing about!
Great profile of our friends!
Just like you said in Green Part 1, I must have a lot more time and energy than I thought. What a truly inspiring family! Christie's link to her post about how to not be an idiot when talking to an adoptive mom (although she didn't– and would probably never– say it that way) is also a great read.ReplyCancel
Hey, I'm Amy!
I'm an author, artist, and disability advocate. I live with my handsome husband and three beautiful daughters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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that is one adorable family.
Thank you of posting about this little boy. How lucky he is to have such a strong and loving mum and dad.
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There are programs in each state for assistance for special needs. Granted each state is different and some have more to offer than others, disability is not the only thing out there. Also disability is biased on the parents income until a child is 18. I heard all the time from well meaning people that I should be getting it for my son, but the fact was, our income though low was still too high. I do find it odd though that you didn't just "automatically" get it becuase every time I tried for my son, I would be ask if he was blind and told, "if he was blind yes, no matter what he would automatically get help." Never understood that one at all. Good luck to you and aren't boys the best!! Fun times in your house for years to come that is for sure.
Don't blame yourself. Couldn't agree more.
Baby Brayden is adorable.
Thank you for these spotlights. I love them so much. I have a baby with special needs, and it's so heartening to hear about other babies like him. It makes me feel not so alone when I see the seas of no-health-problems kids around me.
Brayden is darling! I laughed at his twin pulling out his conformer and his hearing aids. That will make for some hilarious stories when they're older.
I love how you said not to blame yourself. so many people blame themselves unnecessarily. Whether you believe in him or not. I believe Brayden was sent to you for a reason with this disability so that he could have a loving family to take care of him. Good luck and he is seriously adorable!