All the names I know from nurse:
Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse,
Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock,
And the Lady Hollyhock.
Fairy places, fairy things,
Fairy woods where the wild bee wings,
Tiny trees for tiny dames--
These must all be fairy names!
Tiny woods below whose boughs
Shady fairies weave a house;
Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme,
Where the braver fairies climb!
Fair are grown-up people's trees,
But the fairest woods are these;
Where, if I were not so tall,
I should live for good and all.

~ The Flowers
From Child's Garden of Verses

and if you look closely, you will see that Miss Emma Sage has flowers in her hair. She thinks this is the greatest thing to do...to put flowers in your hair!!!

I agree!!! Look and see....

Life in Perspective......

We are all healthy and fine. I am sorry if my post about going fish'n scared anyone......but two events happened last week that made me put up the 'Gone Fish'n' sign and really savor the moments of summer with the children [and turning off the computer for a bit]

One of the events was the sudden death of an online friends son. Vicki Forman is a wonderful Mother and an enlightening writer.......and a friend to all. She wrote a piece that I adore called 'The Mother at the Swings' and in a tribute to sweet Evan.........we are all placing flowers on our own children's swings to celebrate his life.

Evan Kamida (July 30, 2000 – July 24, 2008)

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam ~ Rest in Peace Sweet Boy




There is a tribute to Evan being gathered at Flickr.com of 'Flowers on the Swing'

Evan loved to Swing..........and what a glorious thing to love.

Evan's death was unexpected..........the other event this week was one that was expected and sadly planned for.

One of my sisters friends was pregnant with a little boy who was diagnosed in-utero with anencephaly........after being counseled to terminate, this little boys parents knew that ~ that was not their choice. The pregnancy continued......and this little boy grew in his Mother's womb knowing how much he was loved, adored and wanted. My sister [being a labor and delivery nurse] was asked to be present for his birth......also present was his whole extended family.

Sweet little Will [named for God's Will] entered out word surrounded in love. He was held and cherished for the hour that he lived. His family [all of his family, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and siblings and parents] were there to let him know that God's Will was done, but in the spirit of love and happiness.

We can not decide destiny......all we can do is embrace our lives, embrace those around us in love and friendship and savor the moments that each day brings to us.

Day by Day......

Gone Fish'n

We've gone Fish'n

Actually, we are doing a little fishing and a lot of swimming.

I've been working on some major home improvement projects and the children are busy with activities and the barefoot and care-free summer days of childhood.

So, while I've neglected our blog, I have been snapping pictures and writing down my thoughts.

I hope to be back posting updates soon........

but after two events this week that make you really stop and reflect on the preciousness of life.....it might be a little while till we are back.

So savor the moments of each day........tell those you love, that you love them, every single chance you get.

Take time to smell the flowers and pick the berries.........and marvel in all the creations of this world........especially fireflies, as they truly are incredible summer time delights.

Peace and love, Tara Marie & Emma Sage and her very busy siblings.

The Power of a Mother's voice.....

Well, actually, the power of 63 Mother's voices.........

I had heard the accounts of this moment right after it happened from some of my friends who were able to attend the session at the NDSC Convention on 'Welcoming your new baby with Down syndrome'......and I got chills at the time.

Now you are able to read about Baby Grace and how the book [which Emma Sage and I are a part of] GIFTS ~ has touched lives....especially the unborn life of a sweet little girl named Grace.

Read Beverly Beckham's piece in The Boston Globe here......titled Learning Love from Baby Grace.

Sisters by chance.....

Lisa, Jan, Me, Nicole and Laura [Emma Sage's furture Mother-in-Law!]
This was taken in Boston at the NDSC annual convention.

These woman are some of my dearest friends.....and we met because of the blessing of Down syndrome in our life, and the incredible paradigm of the Internet.

All of these woman I met online before Emma Sage was even born. Nicole I met when I was 13 weeks pregnant with Emma Sage and we had our first soft marker for T21. I had asked a question on a pregnancy forum at ParentsPlace about 'Nuchual Translucency' and she provided answers and a warm welcome to come visit the Down syndrome parenting board there to meet the other parents and their children.

I lurked and visited often, as I knew in my heart of hearts that the little one I was carrying [our precious Emma Sage] would indeed be born with a little extra. [birth story click here].

I watched as Jan introduced herself and her little boy Nash and when the time came, I was on that board posting the joyful news that our little girl made it safely into our world [born unexpectely at home] and blessed with an extra chromosome. These were the woman [and a bunch more that were not in Boston, but always in my heart] that welcomed our little girl with such joy and warmth!!!

So here we are, Sisters by chance............

Mark your calendars for 2025.......

Puppy Love.....Emma Sage and her beau Ryan


Taking time to smell the flowers......as he courted her


What a little gentleman.......Ryan got down on his knees and in all seriousness, asked Emma Sage 'Will you Marry Me?"

and the answer is......... "YES"

So mark your calendars for 2025......as we figure this gives them both time to graduate high school, attend college or technical school.....and then settle down to Wedded Bliss!!!!!!

The future Mr and Mrs. Ryan Quinn........

"Hey........"

We arrived in Boston safely and only about a half hour longer than our estimated time of arrival because of some traffic. One thing I noticed was that people in Conneticut do not know how to drive. The traffic had no rhyme or reason....it only took one or two brake lights to go on and the traffic came to a snarl before it would release and start flowing again. Very, very frustrating.

We are staying at the Boston Westin Waterfront, a beautiful hotel overlooking the Boston harbor.

After we had checked in, Otto, Emma Sage and I had to run down to our car to get somethings. On the way back up to our room the funniest thing happened.

We were waiting for the elevator and there were a few guests also waiting to go up to their rooms.

As we entered the elevator behind a group of people, I asked Emma Sage to push button number 9.....which she gladly did. After she pushed 9, a teenager on the elevator [who also happened to be sporting an extra chromosome] put his hand up to give Emma Sage a 'high-five'......as she goes to give him a 'high-five' she looks at him and exclaims quite loudly....

"Hey, you have Down syndrome JUST like me"

We all chuckled in the elevator as it was just too darn cute. The other teenagers/young adults with this boy were laughing at how sweet this encounter was.

and of coarse....I start to tear up, as the emotions of attending this conference come gushing foreward.

If you have never been to a National Down syndrome convention, I highly recommend it. There is such an aura and incredible feeling being around so many people [of all ages] with T21.......a very powerful experience.

and 'hey'......my little girl recognized someone who had something in common with her!!!!

Want a Good Laugh?!?

We are in Boston, to attend the National Down syndrome Congress's Convention........and Emma Sage's clothes are packed in her bag, back home on our bed.....YES, we left Emma Sage's clothes at home.

So, tomorrow, after I register early, I have to venture into downtown Boston and find a store to buy her something to wear for the next three days.

So......Did that make you laugh????? I cried at first when we realized our mistake...but now I'm laughing!!!

Oh, and can I tell you how amazing it is to see so many people with T21....I'm in heaven!

Happy 4th of July

This was taken two years ago......but I forgot my camera today [and it was too bad, because little Miss was in her element, as she loves parties and is the Belle of the Ball]



4th of July is my most favorite of days, as I cherish the fact that we live in a country that values freedom and human rights.

I hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating freedom.

Happy 1st Birthday Lady Sadie

Today is my neices First Birthday......we celebrated with Uncle Mikey, Aunt Victoria, Rona, Rori and Lady Sadie yesterday.....and the rest of the family too!

What fun!

Everyday Blessings......

We are truly blessed.

We have good health, we have a warm and comfortable [although very small] home....we have family, we have friendship, we have food and drink. Truthfully, I give thanks everyday for the Blessings in my life.....sometimes many times a day I stop to marvel at all the blessings that surround me and my family.

One beautiful blessing is my neighbor Bonnie [she is Emma Sage's riding instructor, friend and mentor] and her generous offers to accompany her on her wagon rides.

We all love to travel on these horse drawn wagon rides....but Emma Sage just adores this time.

Here she is waiting for Bonnie to arrive at our house.....





After our house, we slow down to pick up our wonderful neighbors, The Garcia Family, and head off to Melick's orchard, which is a half-mile up the lane from our house.

Isn't this a beautiful team........

Our journey the other evening was to gather some cherries.......and Emma Sage and I made a cherry pie [thanks to Greta who pitted every cherry for us!]

Emma Sage picking Cherries....

and realizing that they are sour......look at that face.

Otto, giving Emma Sage a lift up to help pick the cherries that are on the higher branches.

Look how beautiful this team is......and what a blessing to us to be able to ride in their wagon.


and this is Emma Sage's favorite spot to be, up in front behind Ms. Bonnie, watching everything around her.

and this is the scene from the orchard looking back towards Maple Lane........

Yes, we are truly blessed.

Today at Shoprite.....

Today at Shoprite my cell phone rings.....I look to see a call coming from Katrina.

I answer....."Hello Nini" and I hear her laughing and she says to me...

"Mom, your never going to believe what just happened"

Of coarse, the first thing as a Mother when you hear 'just happened' you think something is wrong....but she was laughing, so my heart unknoted. She continues......."I was upstairs in my room and my cell phone rings.....I answer it and it is Emma Sage, who says 'Nini, I want to call Mommy, can you help me?'"

So Katrina says that she goes down stairs and finds Emma Sage sitting on the living room floor, phone in hand and the phone book open on her lap. She has turned to the letter 'M' and says to Katrina....."I can't find Mommy's phone number!"

lol!!!!

Emma Sage has five phone numbers memorized.....Our house number, Katrina 'Nini's' cell number, Greta's cell number, Grammy & PopPop's house number and PopPop Swanson's house number. I have not taught her my cell number as of yet.....but will have to now.

How clever of my little girl to know a tool to use to find an answer to her question.......to get the phone book and look under 'M' for Mommy!!!!!

For me, as a parent, my one concern for all of my children is that they grow up to be able to figure things out for themselves.....they don't need to 'know' all the answers, but my wish for them is that they can use the tools around them to figure out the answer. To be able to assess every situation and be able to respond in the most appropriate manner.

So to see Emma Sage with the phone book, and then calling her sister for help, just makes my heart soar.....as I know, that as she goes through life, she will try on her own to come up with an answer or seek out someone that can assist her.

Today we visited with family to celebrate my cousin Aubrey's graduation from High School.

After the party, we stopped by my cousin Lauries house to visit......there, Emma Sage spied Laurie's boyfriend Gary's guitars.....and next thing you know, they had a jam session going on.

This child of mine just loves music.......






Thank you Gary for creating music with my little girl.....she asked as soon as we were home, when we could go back to visit.

“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher

Last Saturday......

Rick and I had a wedding to attend. It was such a beautiful event, held just up the road at our friends father's estate. The view from the 'Four Seasons' is absolutely stunning....it looks down the valley we live in ~ along the river. There were two huge white tents [like the size of a circus tent] and the catering was incredible.......and I was so happy to be feeling a bit better from my Lyme's illness.

Grammy and Aunt Heidi said that they would watch Emma Sage and Otto [or I would have brought them to my sisters about 25 minutes away].....and took them to a family picnic to celebrate cousin Scotty's high school graduation.

On Sunday, we saw Uncle Scott and he came up to me to tell me the funniest thing my little girl said.

You see, since Emma Sage was a baby, Uncle Scott has just adored her. As soon as he would see her, up in his arms she would go........

I was laughing so hard when Uncle Scott recounted what my little girl said [and made me so glad that my 'talks' to her about boundries and people is sinking in]

He goes up to Emma Sage with wide arms and says "There's my girlfriend"

to which she replies "I can't be your girlfriend, you're my Uncle!" lol!!!!!

Good thing we don't live in Kentucky! lol!! [I know, I know, bad joke!]

Camp PALS

Well, we made it to Cabrini College [although this Momma was so very tired and was thankful I had a good co-pilot on board]

Emma Sage was so excited to see her big sister Katrina [she headed down to camp on Thursday as she is a head counselor this year] and Jenni Newbury and others who adore my little girl, showered her with hugs and hellos!

I knew that driving back home would be a very foolish thing to tackle, as I was still shaky [I had real weird light sensitivity from the Lyme's this time also] and with it being just Emma Sage and I in the car for the two hour drive home [which would have put us home sometime after 2am] I asked if there was space somewhere for us to crash for the night.

Of coarse there was.....and Emma Sage had her first 'Official' sleepover at Camp PALS


We put up this sign on our door [all the campers have their names on their dorm doors] and we lucked out as we had ordered some Camp PALS gear earlier and they had arrived at camp.

So we both slept in our oversized Camp PALS t-shirts.....

Katrina had an extra pillow and blanket and we were all set....

I was out within minutes of laying my head on the pillow.

The next morning my little Miss Sunshine was up and out and ready to hang with all the counsilors.

Here she is with Katrina's team.....

and then she would move over to Greta's group and tease her big sister....and then back to Katrina [she thought she was the Belle of the Ball]

We are heading back to Camp PALS next week and will meet up with a friend who will be up to pick up her son.

If you haven't looked lately, check out all the new pictures HERE

No rest for the weary.....

I know whom they made that saying about......Mothers.

No rest for the weary, yup, that is me.

I started the antibiotics on Thursday night, and it is truly amazing how quickly they work with Lyme's. The fever and chills [I hate having chills] left quickly. My stamina regain itself slowly and it is still taking a few days for the joint stiffness and pain to lesson.

But being sick is no match for a busy Momma's schedule. So on Friday, after a day of work, I had to get Greta ready to go to graduation. She was walking with the graduating class as part of National Honor Society.

This was quite special, as her cousin Erica was graduating, and Aunt Heidi walks with the other teachers with the class [so there were three Hintzs out on the football field]

The evening was picture perfect. Emma Sage loves to clap and cheer, so she was in her element.


Greta and five friends from National Honor Society.....


Aunt Heidi and her major colors


Greta watching the seniors pass through their entrance.......I just loved that parasal in the bottom right...I wish I had thought of something like that to ask for Rick to bring home from his recent trip to China

Greta, Erica and Emma Sage.....you have to hear Emma Sage say "Erica".......she does so with the neatest little accent [it cracks us all up] she sounds like she is German when she says it.


Greta and Erica are very close for cousins........we joke that Erica lives here. She will miss her next fall as Erica heads to Rider University on a Field Hockey scholarship.

As soon as graduation ended, I packed the car and drove Greta and her best friend Sara [and Emma Sage] to Cabrini College in Radnor, PA [just outside Philly].....

so when I say 'No rest for the weary"......I really mean, no rest for the weary.

A tick.......

A tick the size of a piece of pepper......that is what did me in.

For some reason, ticks like to dine on my blood [it must be Divine] as I have just battled my 5th tick borne illness. For the fourth time in my life, Lyme's disease has ravaged my body. I try to be so diligent in my tick patrol, but this one [the one I pulled out on June 3rd, the day my beloved Aunt Betty passed away] decided it was going to leave its legacy in my veins.

On Tuesday of last week, I awoke feeling a bit funny.......and then mid-morning, BAMMMM it hit me.

I felt like I had put on a lead suit and started to spike a fever. At first I was not sure if it was the heat and humidity of the last few days playing with me.....but as the day wore on I realized that it was an illness, but what, I was not sure of at this point.

Every joint in my body ached and this time I got a dull headache, but the weirdest symptom was vertigo.....I couldn't stand up without feeling like I was drunk [not that I really know what that feeling is...lol!]

I crawled into bed at 5:30 pm [just after the last little one I watch was picked up] and slept like a baby.......around 4 am I awoke drenched in sweat. My fever ranged from 101 to 103.

Now, I usually just watch fevers and make myself [or the children] comfortable, as fevers serve a purpose......and because I still was not sure what was going on with me, I felt I should let the fever do its job.

During the day I took some Tylenol, as the headache and fever were a bit much [and of coarse I had a house full of children to tend to].

Then came the chills........I was shaking so hard, but my fever was up.

I was not able to get an appointment with my doctor on Wednesday, so I had to wait till Thursday morning to call first thing and get a 'that day' appointment. The only one available was at 7:30 pm [so I weathered the day of up and down....fever, chills and complete exhaustion. Just climbing the stairs took every thing out of me [and I have been running at least 3 miles, four times a week] so stairs are a breeze for me.

Well, I did have the classic rash [although I was hoping that I would get Lyme's] and with the other symptoms, was started on an antibiotic. They drew blood and the lab confirmation will be back at the end of this week.

In the meantime, I made an appointment at a specialist that my sister Patti's, sister-in-law Anne recommend [she practices out of Columbia Presbyterian] as I really need to make sure this round is taken care of.

So I've had Lyme's disease 4 times and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever once.
[both Greta and Emma Sage have each had Lyme's once]

You would think I'd stay out of the woods or give up gardening......

I can't, as both bring me great joy, and what is life without the activities that bring you joy?

Camp PALS

Katrina and Greta are away volunteering at Camp PALS this week. Katrina is a Head Counselor in charge of the Pink Flamingos.

This is Greta's first year volunteering and she has an awesome camper named Erin and they are on the Purple Penquins.

Here is a little clip that will introduce you to the history of this amazing group of young people who are change the world...........a year at a time.


and then you must check out the 2008 Camp PALS blog...........

Camp PALS