Meet the New Krew

Proudly presenting the new "kidz krew!"

We'll make quick introductions today, then you will be hearing more from all of them in future posts to come! You can also find their pictures linked to their blogs on the right sidebar....

Amanda ~ Grace's mom
Blog: Shall Always Strive
(Read Grace's story here)

I am 23 and have been married to my husband for almost 4 years. We are Mormon, and I have only been a convert for almost 4 years. I have my AA, and was 13 classes away from my BA in Liberal Studies as well as 3 classes away from a minor in Deaf Studies when I gave birth to Grace and found out there were issues. My plan had been to go to State college and get my credentials to be an elementary teacher, but those plans were put on hold. I don’t mind though, I would leave anything in a heartbeat for my little one. My husband has 5 other children from his previous marriage, and that ended because his wife was struck in a car accident head on by a drunk driver and she died instantly. When I’m not researching about Grace, or working with her, I am learning about how to be self sufficient in case of an emergency, and love taking care of my family! Well, I don’t know what else you want to know, so if there’s something I didn’t add, go ahead and ask me!

April ~ Caleb's mom
Blog: Wink From Heaven
(Read Caleb's story here)

I am the mother to 4 wiggly and wonderful boys. This means I am an expert worm digger, stain get-er out-er and tickler. We call our third son, Caleb, our "Wink from Heaven." Caleb has hydrocephalus, and his brain largely did not form. Doctors didn't expect him to live for more than a few weeks. Caleb is now 4 1/2 years old! He has a joyful spirit and is a little miracle in our family. Among his various physical challenges, Caleb is missing one of his eyes. Even though he will never be able to say "I love you" with words, he tells us every day with his "wink!" His little wink is a daily message of love from heaven. Although most hours in my day are spent taking care of my boys and their needs, I also love going to the library, putting on my fuzzy socks and curling up with my latest find in juvenile literature. I love Gerber daisies, chap stick and warm chocolate chip cookies. I enjoy music, being outside, having adventures (even if they are only in my imagination), laughing, and spending time with my family. My idea of the perfect day is being surrounded by the people I love. I get excited for BYU sports, and I get fluttery when I hear my husband come home from work. My favorite word is joy. My favorite smell is sunshine, and I believe in miracles.

Brandi ~ Matthew & Autumn's mom
Blog: Born From My Heart

I'm wife to Brandon and mother to Matthew and Autumn. Matthew and Autumn are gifts of adoption. Matthew had a tragic beginning to his life before he came to our home band needed lots of love, which we gladly gave him and continue to give him! He is currently 17-months-old, has a severe seizure disorder and is developmentally an infant. But labels have never been our "thing." We choose to see him for the beautiful, sweet, kind hearted boy who enjoys laughing while his sister cries. He will hold your hand and in doing so grab hold of your heart. Autumn was born addicted to drugs and had failure to thrive. She was a measly 3 lbs 4 oz at birth. She had suffered a stroke to her spine in utero that has left her paraplegic. She spent 6 months in NICU before joining our family. Autumn is cognitively intact and is blossoming. We never intended to adopt special needs children. All we knew was we were meant to be a mommy and a daddy. We now know that our children have taught us more than we ever knew possible.

Erin ~ Charlotte & Lily's mom
Blog: Developmental Delays

I am a wife, mom and registered nurse with four daughters. Charlotte was born with a rare chromosomal abnormality and many health and developmental problems, but lived with joy and purpose for 3 years and 8 months. She passed away in 2009 when her sister, Ella, was four months old. Ava joined the family through adoption in May 2010. Ava and Ella are healthy and typically developing. We will also be welcoming Lily in October 2010 who has the same chromosomal abnormalities as Charlotte. We look forward to raising Lily and using all we learned from Charlotte to help Lily reach her fullest potential.

Janet ~ Hailey's grandma
Blog: Painting for Hailey

I am grandmother to "Beautiful Hailey." Hailey is 3 years old and has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. I started a blog as a way to keep my family informed about Hailey's progress. It has indirectly been a therapy for me to put my thoughts down. I had no idea how many friendships I would gain by writing on my blog. I have met so many other families through blogging who have family members with disabilities. It is a very special club!

Jenny ~ Samantha's mom
Blog: Lil' Samsquatch

During my short 30 years, I feel like I've been blessed with a lot of opportunities and experiences that have added to my life. I've traveled, taught high school, learned languages, played sports....but nothing adds more joy than being a wife and mother. I taught high school for a couple years, and I loved that! Loved that! But my joy is with my family. It tops my list of -- hands down. Both Samantha and Callie have been such a blessing in my life, I can't even begin to start in a short little intro. And to have Marcus as my wingman, well, it doesn't get much better. We entered the world of special needs when Samantha was born in June 2006. Half way through my pregnancy, her head circumference measured small. When she was 3 months old, she was diagnosed with Primary Autosommal Recessive Microcephaly. This type of microcephaly, we were told by our geneticist, is very rare, so no one can really tell us what to expect. We take the seizures and developmental delays one day at a time, (and I do take the time to write about it all on our blogs). Sure things aren't always easy, but I'm not sure how much sweeter life could be. So yeah, being a wife and mommy...I think I'll keep my day job.

Kristina ~ Emma's mom
Blog: How Life Happens
(Read Emma's story here)

Kristina is the mother of two charming daughters, Julia (4) and Emma (3), and wife to a wonderful man who puts up will all her wild ideas. A former marketing executive, she finds her days at home to be full of life and laughter even though they are busier than she ever imagined. Kristina started blogging to chronicle her family's journey that includes raising a child that has a profound hearing loss and cerebral palsy due to a congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) exposure. Since learning of the CMV diagnosis she has worked to raise awareness on preventing CMV exposure during pregnancy. Kristina graduated from the national Partners in Policymaking program in September 2010 and is an advocate for disability rights and inclusion education.

Melissa ~ Brody's mom

Blog: Life on the Mini Farm
(Read Brody's story here)

I am the wife of an amazing, hard-working man, and a mother to 4 wonderful children. I have a son who has a terminal heart condition called Left Ventricular Non Compaction, a form of Pediatric Cardiomyopathy. I never thought I would have a son with special needs. He is currently undergoing testing for developmental delays. Each day is a adventure. Some easy, some not so easy. But we look for the positives, and try to be involved in positive uplifting things such as Kidzorg, in order to focus on the positives. He has taught me so much, and I am indeed grateful to have him as my son.

Tara ~ Chloe's mom
Blog: TMI
(Read Chloe's story here)

I am a wife and a mother. That pretty much sums it up. You're probably sick of hearing about me. I may be the creator of the kidz blog, but play only a small role. It is all the incredible readers and kidz krew members who give the blog life! I rarely go a day when someone doesn't share a quote or a story or a song that might be good to post on kidz. I am forever grateful for the friendships I have made through this network of incredible people who seek and give support. Thank you, thank you - to the new "Krew," and to all of you! We're all in this together!