Being Up With Down Syndrome

We just got back from a well needed, well deserved vacation.  We love Tybee Island, GA.  It is twenty minutes outside of Savannah on the Atlantic Coast.  This was our fourth time on the Island.  It is not commercialized.  It is a small town with history, small restaurants and shops.  It takes you to a time of relaxation.   We took our three youngest with us.  Ireland 14, Trinity 13 and Kate who is now 5.  Ireland and Trinity rented bikes to add to seeing the island.  Reminded me of when BJ and I were kids in Crafton.  Hopping on our bikes to ride to the store or pool.  The girls actually rode to the beach.  Such freedom!   I got to spend a lot of time with Kate.  You would think I always do, but during the school year I do a lot of chauffeuring back and forth.  Along with lots of meetings for Kate's future.  So there was a ton more snuggling and talking to Kate.  I saw her change.  She was more loving and less stressed.   Ireland and Trinity took BJ on a Dolphin Tour and then

A dad, a husband, a son and a Priest all go to a party...want to know how this turns out?  Well, it is still going on, it is the party of Heaven and earth.  My Dad passed away Wednesday, July 26, 2006.  Worst day of my life.  It will be eleven years this July.  I miss him every single day.  Now I remember the great talks and all the laughter.  I ask him to pray for me and my family.  I know he knows Kate.  I know he is a guardian for her. A husband, my husband.  The love of my life and what a life.  All of our children adore this man.  One day I asked him if he ever regretted having all these children and even Kate because of how hard this is sometimes.  He said he couldn't imagine his life without any of them.  He adores them more than they can even comprehend.  BJ reminds me of how we loved my Dad.  I remember how much BJ loved dinners at my parents house.  So much love and laughter.  All were welcome!  My Dad would "hold court".  Telling stories about being a kid or

I met my husband BJ when we were very young...I was 14 and he was 11.  I was best friends with his sister and he was just her little brother.  Later when he was 24 and I was 27, we met up again.  I never ever thought we would date.  He asked me out to dinner and I will never forget how easy it was to talk and mostly laugh!  We absolutely loved being in each other's company and couldn't wait to see each other again.  We fell madly in love.  I never met a man so kind.  He is loving, funny and the kindest person I know. We started our life together in a very odd way.  We just kind of went with the flow of life.  I always wanted to have a big family.  He never ever said we couldn't.  We grew together.  We reverted back to our Catholic Faith.  We raised our children in the love of God.  Every baby we had or miscarried is ours. The three we lost are just as much our family.  We ask our children in Heaven to pray for us.  He let me Homeschool the children.  He encouraged me to