Cedar Valley Publishing

I have so much to reflect on and be thankful for this Thanksgiving but one moment defined all of that for me.

On Wednesday evening Sam sang in church with his Sunday school class for the first time. There was a lot of prayer that day…and hope…and even some building of the shell that protects me from dissapointment, worry or public speculation. With typical children you worry if they will misbehave but you get past that. With a child with special needs it seems we are always trying to put them out there in the best light, feeling the need and want to have them achieve and perform above and beyond the rest. It seems that when our children misbehave or have meltdowns it is automatically associated with their diagnosis or the fact that they are differently abled or sometimes we even feel people speculate about our parenting abilities.

But on Wednesday…I took a deep breath…I put my trust in the Lord and we headed to church. Sam and I had practiced his song “Jesus Loves Me” throughout the week and he even knew the sign language for the song. While we waited for the other children Sam went up on the altar and walked out from the back wall like he was on stage and he would throw out this arms to either side and with a smile as large as the room he would say “Ta Da” and he would bow, of course waiting for the applause. When the other children began to arrive I dropped Sam off in the music room with the other children. I didn’t stay which felt strange because I’m usually so overprotective but instead went to sit in church with my husband and parents just like all the other parents. I don’t know why those times stick out in my memory, the times when I’m not a parent with a child that has Down syndrome but instead I am simply a parent…but they do and I cherish them.

Sam sat with the other children in the back of the church. When it was time for their song, Sam had to be told a few times to get up and go with the children but once he did he moved to the front of the group. The other children were nervous and turned away from the church audience, but not Sam, in fact he was very interested in getting ahold of the microphone that was in front of him…he really wanted to be seen and heard and he was front and center. I watched him amazed at how far he has come. A child with multiple diagnosis, singing as many words as he could keep up with…we usually sing at a slower tempo to allow him time to find each word…with a few signs thrown in for good measure. In my eyes…he shined and as I tried to video tape through my tear filled eyes I missed the fact that I had never accurately hit the record button…this moment however would be engraved on my heart forever.

When we practiced at home, Sam would always bow after he finished singing but in church they ushered the kids back to their seats quickly. I think Sam thought about that during the rest of the service and wanted to complete his performance. He was fidgety when he got back to his seat so his teacher let him come up by us. However he passed us and decided to sit in the front row of the church. He sat listening to Pastor go through his service and then when most of us had our heads bowed during prayer, Sam decided to sneak up on the altar and go behind the wall. I knew what was going to follow so I quickly snuck up on the altar and brought Sam back to his seat. My husband and I shared a brief smile knowing Sam was planning on finishing his performance and taking a bow. So….when we got home, we put him up on the fire place hearth, let him sing and sign his heart out and after each performance he took many bows each followed with a booming round of applause.

On Thanksgiving Day after a fantastic meal with my family, my parents and my brother…Sam performed for us again. I am so thankful that God entrusted me with this wonderful little boy that has touched the hearts of so many. I am thankful for good health, my husband, children, family, friends and the many blessings that fill my days. I am thankful that the words Sam sings with such enthusiasm are so very true…Jesus loves me this I know….Little ones to him belong, they are weak but he is strong. Thank you Lord for taking care of one of your little ones!!

Sue Mayer
Mom to Sam (8) with Down syndrome, Brain Injury, Apraxia, Dysphagia, Respiratory/Immune Issues and Bi-Lateral Conductive Hearing Loss or as I like to say “Yada, Yada,Yada”
www.suemayer-specialneedsmom.blogspot.com

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I so enjoy talking with people who have gone out and taken action on creating the life they desire, it’s a gift we all have, yet so few do anything more than talk….  Today we are sitting down with Stacey Kannenberg of Cedar Valley Publishing, one of the few who has stepped out of the box and created the life of her dreams.  Welcome Stacey!

Stacey, please tell us about the path you traveled to arrive where you are today: I was trying to find a book for my own children (at the time) ages three and one; to get ready for that first day of school and couldn’t find what I wanted so I decided to create it myself.

What kept you moving forward on the days things were not going exactly the way you were hoping they would? My company was created in 2004 and that first Christmas, my husband had a clear crystal clock engraved with the Cedar Valley Publishing Logo and coined the following phrase, which has become my mantra:  The Dream is Clear, To Believe is the Reward.  On those dark days, that clock sits on my desk and keeps me moving forward!

Click Here to read more…by Caryn FitzGerald from Embracing My Journey

We had Lorie on our radio show and congratulate her on FOUR magazine spreads (!!!) - on sale now at your favorite supermarket and win her contest from Good Housekeeping Magazine!  Below is a note from Lorie:

I had to mention to my beloved blog readers to check us out in FOUR magazines this month! They are November issues but they come out in October, so they are all on the newsstands right now. When you’re checking out at the supermarket, you can thumb through and find me!

• Nov. Better Homes & Gardens, page 78 (cover headline “12 Smart Ways to Organize Your Closet”- also features our product, the Simple Division® Garment Organizers)
• Nov. 1, Family Circle, page 147 (cover headline: “Declutter Your Life”)
• Nov 3, Woman’s Day, page 100 (cover headline “5 Clutter Busters- They’ll Surprise You”)
• Nov. Good Housekeeping, page 180, “21 Ways to Make an Entrance” (about entryways)

Also note– I am doing a contest with Good Housekeeping right now where the big winner gets me in his/her house for two days with $1000 of products from the Container Store. Enter the contest here at http://budurl.com/ghclutter. Other prizes include memberships to our program, phone consultations with me, and autographed copies of my book The Clutter Diet: The Skinny on Organizing Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life. The contest entries close on November 30, 2009.

I hope you like the articles! Thanks for sharing my joy!

I have been donating books for the past three years now to the Today Show Holiday Gift Drive!   See the following letter for more information:

Thank you so much for your past participation in the TODAY Holiday Gift Drive. This year, in these uncertain economic times, your partnership is greatly needed. We hope you can help us make our 16^th Annual Holiday Toy Drive a great success.

Last Holiday season, we spread Holiday cheer to more than 3 million children in more than 200 domestic, non-profit family charities.  For many, the Today show is the sole source of gifts. We hope to have your generous support again this year. 

As in the past, there is no minimum or maximum donation.  Contributions range from $100 to more than $3 million retail value.  We are also able to accept cash contributions to the non-profit Today Show Charitable Foundation to help offset the administrative costs of our effort. The Today Show Charitable Foundation is a 501-c3 organization.  All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

We need non-violent toys, books, and electronic games, as well as board games, school supplies, sports equipment, music CD’s, CD players, videos, computers, computer software and other items suitable for children from infants up to age 18. Gifts for boys of all ages, and teens of both genders are most needed.

Participants should prepare a list of items to be donated, quantity, and for what age and gender. Your donation will be matched to the “wish lists” from our non-profits.  In most cases, you ship directly to the recipients.  We can honor requests for a specific preference for a region, type of organization, or limited shipments.

As in the past, there is no on-air promotion in exchange for gifts. Depending on show needs, on-air appearances may be very limited.  However, we hope to thank as many of our friends in the corporate world as possible in short appearances with Today’s cast members.  All our donors will be listed on http://www.todayshow.com/.

We have built some wonderful friendships through the years and hope you extend an invitation to clients who have contributed in the past, and invite new partners as well. 

Your contribution is important to us.  We hope to work with you again this year. 

Best wishes,

Sam Sagenkahn and Kate Cook
TODAY Holiday Gift Drive
212-664-7508
sam.sagenkahn@nbcuni.com
katherine.cook@nbcuni.com

I was raised by an amazing Grandma who proudly had a sign in her home that said, “If Mom says no, ask Grandma!”  For all those amazing Grandma’s check out this site dedicated to you and now proudly carries our books!

Grandma’s Shoppe

1. Tell your child everyday that you love them!
2. Hug and kiss your child in the morning and at night!
3. Have open-ended conversations with your child each and every day!
4. Read together!
5. Laugh together!
6. Play together!
7. Be together!

I was in bed, 8 years ago with Heidi, 2 and nursing Megan, 2 months old, when Mike called with the 911 news!  I was heart broken, dazed and so sad for all those families and friends that had just been touched by evil.  May we never forget!

It’s Labor Day, a day to celebrate our work force!  Sadly, many American’s are struggling and feeling the pinch of a down economy, millions losing their jobs and cutting back on goods and services.  We certainly are in the Kannenberg household.  Don’t be afraid to talk to your children about tightening the purse strings and ask for help in cutting back. 

This weekend we have been doing some fall cleaning as a family.  Heidi and Megan are excited to donate old toys and too small clothes in the hopes of making other children happy!