The Secret Pepper Society: Christmas Card Field Trip

Oct 10, 2010

Christmas Card Field Trip

I told y'all I'm in the Christmas mood. Big time.

Fa La La La La...

Today we went to the local park to shoot photos for our Christmas card. It takes months to get the card together. And I've finally learned to shoot one family member at a time. That way I preserve my sanity and I'm not ~~a shrieking lunatic in public~~ stressed at the photo shoot. I praise the Lord daily for the miracle of digital photography.

Today was The Teenager's turn only because we got the hair together which is a monumental achievement in itself. She picked out what she wore and added the necklace she made at her brothers infusion. I said no to the Gravedigger ball cap that she got at Monster Jam, though. I know. I'm such a party pooper.

The Teenager was 17 months old when she joined the family.

Now she's 17 years old.

Where did my baby go?

When you think of her original prognosis and you look at her now you have to agree with the big city university geneticist. She certainly "does look better in person than she does on paper."

That's one way of putting it, honey.

I prefer "miracle."

So which photo do you like?

13 comments:

Michelle said...: The second one!! So beautiful!; October 10, 2010 at 3:56 PM
ANewKindOfPerfect said...: I love the second one also. She is SO pretty!

We have had numerous doctors tell us the same thing about Emily. She really does look better in person than on paper! :); October 10, 2010 at 4:09 PM
Diane said...: Beautiful! How did she grow up so fast!!
I love that you are in a Christmas mood : ); October 10, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Island Rider said...: She is so pretty! I like the second one too where she is looking up at you.; October 10, 2010 at 6:48 PM
Dani said...: Second for sure!; October 11, 2010 at 3:26 AM
D said...: a beautiful young lady. I like #2; October 11, 2010 at 5:11 AM
Anonymous said...: i like # one looking between the tree. you are soooo organized! Iluvna-na; October 11, 2010 at 8:14 AM
Kathleen Scott said...: I vote for the seated bench photo. We see The Teenager's beautiful smile and the light on her face.

Thanks for sharing this. I always wonder how people get such beautiful Christmas cards. Now I know, start before Halloween...; October 11, 2010 at 8:33 AM
Jennie said...: I cannot believe she is 17... dear lord I was 17 when she joined our family!!! Yike.

I like #2 as well... but her smile in #1 makes that a very close 2nd.; October 11, 2010 at 8:42 AM
Fatcat said...: The second one!

Your daughter has a very beautiful smile.; October 11, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Laura said...: What a beautiful girl with a KILLER smile! I like all of the pictures, but I think the first pic shows her smile the best.; October 12, 2010 at 3:32 PM
Mitzi Curi said...: Gorgeous smile, beautiful young lady! The second picture is the best. Someone is quite a good photographer, by the way!; October 14, 2010 at 3:26 PM
Anonymous said...: I vote for #2... Tk; October 22, 2010 at 11:49 AM

The Artist

The Artist can be seen in the yearly dance calendars, Breaking Bounds, by photographer Lois Greenfiled throughout the years.The artistically gifted second daughter who graduated from a very expensive art college in Philadelphia is one of those annoying people who can do all things artsy. Dance. Sing. Make jewelry. Photography. A genetic descendant of St. Francis of Assisi, this "sister moon" is called "the dog whisperer" behind her back by the SPP's posse. She is currently involved in animal rescue and is usually tooling around the south in her VW transporting unfortunate animals to their new homes. As a child she ate Barbie doll toes. I spent years thinking the hamster did it until The Genius set me straight.

The Teenager

The teenager became part of the family in 1994. She was born with hypoplasia of the cerebellum. As a result she has cerebral palsy. She was diagnosed with developmental delays early on and in later years has developed glaucoma and epilepsy. She was not supposed to be able to walk, talk or use her upper extremeties well. No one shared this information with her. She began walking wihout assistance at age 6. She began writing at the age of 13. After 10 years in book one of Hooked on Phonics she now reads well. She enjoys music, dancing, soccer, and her dvd collection. She loves light bulbs, cracks in windows and windshield wipers. The teenager comes up with the most interesting statements. They are rarely politically correct.

The Boy

The boy became a part of the family in 2000. He has a rare genetic disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta type 3. He has severe dyslexia and ADHD. The boy was not expected to survive per his geneticist and pulmonologist. No one shared this information with the boy. The boy is Evel Knievel in a Humpty Dumpty body. He loves monster trucks, cars of all kinds especially vintage and critters. The boy could not understand why I was upset with him when I discovered a live snake in his top bunk becasue it was " not poisonous." Don't ever say to the Secret Pepper Person that boys are easier than girls. I will hurt you.

The Baby

The baby became a member of the family in 2007. She was rescued by a paramedic who found her dead in the amniotic sac in a hallway. For those of you who find this offensive please get a life. The baby should be in a vegetative state from the estimated 10 minutes of cerebral anoxia. No one informed her of that. The baby is the happiest child I have ever known and is seriously nosey. She has cerebral palsy and seizures but neither interfere with her quality of life. She signs and has just begun to talk. Even when she is 30 she will be referred to as the "baby" as she is the omega child. The baby loves french fries,music, remote control cars and soft blankets. She hates peaches.

The Dog

The most recent addition to the posse came to us from Great Pyrenes Rescue. Vanna White had lived in several homes before ours and the day we met her she was leaving for yet another adoptive placement. The adoption fell through after 2 weeks as, "there was still too much puppy in her." What they really meant to say is that she likes to pee on furniture. Vanna is a herd protector by nature who is strong enough to take on a bear but becomes emotionally attached to her herd animals. This is a perfect fit for our family. She is very protective of the baby and sleeps by her crib. She has a disctinct "boy bark" which alerts me to the fact that the boy is outside doing stunts not wearing his helmet. Yes, Vanna is that intelligent. Vanna loves other dogs, digging, long walks, chicken and peeing on the sofa. She hates the rain.

The Cat

The cat showed up in our backyard about 14 years ago. No one knows where he came from or how old he was. Every time you approached him he would drop to the ground and roll, thus the name, "Roller." Once we determined that Roller wasn't rabid we decided to make him a permanent member of the family. He grudgingly obliged. Roller had some "adjustment issues" and our kind and gentle Hindu vet informed me he thought Roller needed some help "finding his place in the family" and put Roller on Elavil. In other words, the cat was seriously psycho. Roller's issues have mellowed over the years but if there are 14 people in my living room he will stalk the one person who hates cats. He is an accomplished hunter and likes to leave bloodied fruit rats on the door mat or if he's mad at me on my bed. After the last rat on the bed the cat door was nailed shut. Roller likes freedom, two story houses, rats and chocolate Ensure Plus. He hates the dog, the kids and the 4th of July.

Iris aka Virus

Iris has been with the family for almost 7 years and is the teenagers' respite worker/personal care assistant. Iris looks like a Bavarian milkmaid who should be clad in a dirndldress or lederhose. A cross between Heidi Klum and Gretel complete with culry blonde hair and rosy complexion. Iris, however, has an alter ego lovingly referred to as Virus. Virus likes the color black, sparkly clothes and metal bands. She met her husband, "the beard" at Livestock. 09 and he proposed at Livestock 12.They were married and went to a Great White concert after the ceremony. They have two model beautiful children which dispels the myth that pretty people have ugly children. Virus loves Ozzie Osborne, Motley Crue, Kiss, and Queensryche and has a Queensryche tattoo under the lederhose. If you look up Iris/Virus in Roget's Thesaurus you will find synonyms such as, "loyal, faithful, honest, kind, and long-suffering." Iris has a mental list of places she can never go to again because of the teenagers behavior. Virus doesn't care. Iris would like to have dinner with Ozzie Osborne before she dies but feels she needs an interpreter. I suggested the teenager. She hates REM and people who wear pajamas in public. Iris is the only person I would trust my children with and not be concerend about the outcome. For Iris or the children.

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