The Sibthorp Daily

Happy Birthday Rowan Margaret

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 14:08:00 +0000

Happy Birthday Rowan Margaret.

Just 14 years ago on this day you came into the world. Every single day of your 8 1/2 years was a gift to us.

We are so blessed to have been your family, the ones who got to see what an amazing kid you were, how you gave us focus, strength, and courage.

And we were daily rewarded with your smiles, and coos.

We miss you so much, little girl.

February catch up

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 14:32:00 +0000

I guess I haven't checked in here much lately. And some changes I made to my page in December, have not turned out so great. I guess I have some housekeeping to do here. But first I thought I'd share some photos from January

Don't forget you can find all my albums here.

Happy December!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 12:27:00 +0000

Guess who’s back? After returning from Michigan, we woke to find Nutmeg reading his book and having a snack. Hopefully he’s not too unhappy that we left him at home on our last trip north.

But going back to the day before Thanksgiving, Laurel has a Thanksgiving Feast at school - which she got all dressed up in an Indian Girl costume. Handmade by mom.

And her place was set at the feast. Love that she is thankful for her family.

Here she is getting silly with her friends.

Her teacher, Mrs. M. is teaching the other classes the turkey dance.

Laurel loved the her Grandpa was able to come.

Finally we made it to the lake, and got the turducken in the oven at 3 AM, and it turned out perfectly at noon. We had a great afternoon with family and friends. The weather was a little dicey drive up, but we had great weather the rest of our visit. We even watch the lake freeze more each day - and was completely frozen over when we left. Can't believe I didn't photograph that!?!

Oh my are there ever so many leaves…and other related fall items

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 01:41:00 +0000

One cold, wet angel.

Before we jumped in the pile...

Then Rukia joins her...

and now momma.

Look at Rukia’s ears.

Daddy was behind the camera today. Our thanks to him for catching these memories.

Laurel says...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 11:31:00 +0000

Happy Halloween!

Just a couple more to share

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 11:27:00 +0000

Hiking in Veronica Valley

Jacobs Corn Maze

My traveling buddy.

More pictures here.

A quick trip to Sibthorp North

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 02:58:00 +0000

You don't know how happy this sign makes me.

The lake was calm early on Friday morning.

We took in the color season. This is the view down our lane.

Went for a hike in Veronica Valley.

And we took this selfie at a corn maze. Just before the rain came.

More pictures to come.

Another pretty weekend at the lake...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 00:45:00 +0000

Grandpa and fish dog...

Still had not caught any...

But we can count on Grandma to reel one or two in…

And sometimes just a crayfish.

We never get tired of the sunsets.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 23:23:00 +0000

We got in late on Wednesday night, just in time to catch the last bit of daylight...

We did some fishing...to0 bad we had no bait.

Bryan built several fires. This one to burn some of the brush from yet another overgrown tree/bush.

Laurel and I watched him from the dock.

We've been working hard to make the place seem a little bit more charming and less run down. We've got loads more to do.

But we mustn't forget playtime.

Before this girl gets any older...

Or this dog starts to chew on things other than this stick.

Can't wait to go back...

Check out more photos with details here.

Home again...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:19:00 +0000

We made it home safely. Can't wait to go back to play.

What's happenin' at Sibthorp North?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 May 2013 02:09:00 +0000

New dock

New boat

Old boat - anyone interested?

Catching minnows.

Lake time fun.

Today it was 90, and last week we had a low of 40. Summer has arrived.

From Boats to Bubbles…Life at the Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 May 2013 14:41:00 +0000

Maiden Voyage (at least for us)

Another pretty day at the Lake

Rukia agrees...

Moments and memories that

make my heart happy.

May Photo Album

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:08:00 +0000

More photos here.

Finally - spring is here

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:46:00 +0000

Finally saw the lake thaw this week. And the snow that was hanging on in the yard has melted. Finally.

#Snow Tubing/winterfun

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:53:00 +0000

We had some serious winter fun yesterday

at Timberlee Hills .

We'll definately be back next year when they reopen.

And some serious icicles on the house when we got in on Saturday night.

Trisomy Awareness

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:31:00 +0000

March is trisomy awareness month. And the eighteen is especially important to my family as we promote awareness of trisomy18 - the second most common abnormality after trisomy 21, AKA Downs Syndrome- both are birth defects we have little ability to prevent. And still have much to learn. This day is significant to our family as this abnormality -T18- is what eventually took the life of our sweet girl, Rowan.

We knew nothing much of such disorders before she was born - only what was covered in college biology and psych courses - and that was little. Rowan's birth opened us up to so much about the world of health, medicine, ethics, and disabilities. But mostly she focused us. We soon knew our priorities. She gave us focus. Opened our eyes to a world that requires empathy and compassion. Without her to greet us each evening - it's a struggle to remember these things. Truly it is a matter of exposure.

Through the years we found a strong network of families to support us - a listserv that has now gone dark, and the Support Organization For Trisomy 18 14 and related disorders. Also now Facebook certainly offers a meeting place for all those who need advise or just want to share- these resources are invaluable to our families. And deserve our support. Please consider doing so, if you have something to share. I guarantee it will be returned to 100 fold. They certainly have given us an outlet to honor her memory.

As for our sweet Rowan, she is irreplaceable in our lives, and in our hearts. Her sister yearns for and older sister whom she saw had no disabilities. We miss our family of four, who quickly filled the family car with gear for every outing. The rhythm of our days is uncomfortably normal - lacking meds, therapies and treatments. All things we should be happy to do without - but miss because of what they meant to Rowan. Now the daily hum drum of mostly annoys us. Those things never bothered us before when we had much more pressing issues to be concerned with. And that is annoying!

Tonight I'm wondering if awareness of trisomy is spreading, and if so is the quality of our children's' lives improving? I don't know the answer to this, as we are slowly moving out of such circles and moving forward with of our life. But I certainly hope and pray for such. I'm not sure I would change any of the decisions we made for Rowan - but I pray that more information for families makes for clearer decisions.

We miss you Rowan Margaret. And love you so!

Beautiful Moonrise tonight...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 03:41:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWzxnQV0RTc

I fell behind on my photograply this week, but I caught up with this stop motion film. Its not perfect, but its still dramatic.

Visit to Grandma & Grandpa 's house

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 16:12:00 +0000

Fun day with these little ones.

Liam and Laurel

Laurel, Grandpa, Donovan, & Grandma

Laurel, Grandpa, & Donovan

Laurel, Grandpa, Donovan and Grandma

I cannot believe I did not get a picture of this cutie. I had to steal this from his Momma's facebook page. Aunt Dee - you got some photos, right?

Happy Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:35:00 +0000

Our Michigan Friends will recognize the shirt.

Home again

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:53:00 +0000

We made it home safely.

And we really enjoyed our winter get-away. It was needed.

Even thought it was -6 degrees when I got up yesterday-

and 50 degrees in Moline when we got home this afternoon.

Its hard to beat the beauty of this place.

February in Leelanau

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 23:51:00 +0000

We've been enjoying some time up north this weekend. The weather has been a little snowy, but we've no particular place to go. Above Laurel is King of the hill. The snow is light and fluffy, but still good for a snowball fight or two.

The lake at twilight after returning from my walk with Rukia.

Below the icicles on the roof.

Waiting to go to the lake...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:38:00 +0000

We're still going right?

Sunday Pix 2/3/2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:00:00 +0000

The girl took a nap in a cardboard box. I wish I could explain...

Wishing for spring on a winter's day.

Holiday Program pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:53:00 +0000

Such an eventful weather day here in Moline yesterday. Inbetween the rain and the snow we squeezed in Laurel's Holiday program.

See the pictures here. (scroll all the way to bottom).

I love this photo of her peeking around Mrs. Vershaw and she spotted me with my camera.

A 4 second preview...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 22:31:00 +0000