We recently got pictures of our "family" taken, and I am so proud of my boys. Anyone else want to share???

Here are the people in our neighborhood! White shirt is my partner Erin, then green shirt is me. The guy is one of our staff workers/best friend, Jason. Then the littlest boy is Brandon, the one I am holding is Carlos (his legs are completely off the floor) and the yellow shirt is Roy. Roy and Brandon are half brothers, and Carlos and Roy have lived together for over 10 years, so they are "brothers".

Oh, just in case....I forget sometimes that people don't have a sense of humor about people with disabilities, and I want to be sure people don't think that I am any way making fun of my boys. I am so proud of this picture, because although it may look strange, when we started working with them almost exactly a year ago, this picture would not have happened. because they were so out of control. So this picture is proof that with love and A LOT of work, that anyone can do anything. Even if it something as simple as sitting down for a family picture.

Bright Blessings to you and Erin!!! It takes a person with a strong heart to take care of children/people with special needs! I personally could never do it...I am not strong enough, I'd cry everyday! Hence the Psychology/Education/Special Education degree over the nursing degree I was contemplating! These boys are truly lucky to have you!!!!

Great idea! Thanks for sharing, sbmorgaine.

Lenny, Micah and Me - Christmas 2004

Lenny, Micah and Me - May 2006

What great looking families! Everyone has such cute kids! And nice looking husbands and selves too!

I am learning American Sign Language (ASL), and the boys know some. We have a Deaf staff member, and she seems to get the boys to do more than us loud hearing people...I don't know if that is because of her personality or the sign. We sign with them a lot...almost all of our staff sign.

(MY SOAPBOX) Studies show that babies who learn sign language are more able to pick up on spoken language when they are older. They have better communication, and can begin to communicate in sign from the age of six months. Not to mention that the Deaf have a rich culture and history, and learning sign opens up so many friendships with AMAZING people!

Ok, off my box now. If anyone (ANYONE) wants more information about ASL PM me. I am happy to spread the word.

Great photo's everyone

My best friend in HS was deaf (hard of hearing) so I learned how to speak sign language very well. I haven't spoken it in a while but I do remember quite a bit... especially the bad words LOLOL !!!! My daughter who's 4 picked up my book a few months ago and is egar to learn. She went to school the other day and told her teacher in sign language that "Her teacher is a dinosaur" LOL.

KUDO's to you all :jaw:

Wish I had one of us all together...but here is my DH Bob and myself, and Cheyenne, the granddaughter who lives with us. She just turned 14 yesterday....LORD HELP ME!

Carlene, great pics. Your quote "She just turned 14 yesterday....LORD HELP", reminds me of when my husband and I were houseparents in a group home many years ago. We used to call 14 the "arsenic year" for girls. That is a tough time. Maybe I'm making a premature assumption about your quote, though.

oh i am always happy to share pics of my brood. DH is Rob, and my daughter is Emily, and my son is Anderson.

sbmorgaine thank you for sharing and being a blessing to your family. You are an awesome person. May God stay with you and strengthen you so that you guys can have many more family photos.

ohhhh, funny, I am so jealous of your daughter (and you) with your beautiful hair! I was raised by a red-head, and my step-mom was a red head, and I always wished I was.

Andy is a little bit of red in his mohawk he is sporting, but it is closer to a strawberry blonde. My husband is white blonde with the hair, and red in the beard, so the kids were doomed. LOL

Just me and the hubby for now. Till I lose weight and can have babies. The other is me and my parents and my little brother back in 2000 at a chicago white sox vs detroit tigers game in Chicago for my birthday when I turned 25. I love that picture.

These are our latest family pics... December 2004 taken for the church directory.

ugh, i have to get pics taken for our church directory. I keep putting it off. Now with the band I have an excuse to LOL No pics till I am skinny!! LOL

I am thinking of suprising my husband by getting some glamour shots taken of me when I reach goal.