Being Up With Down Syndrome

I miss my Dad. My Dad. I could write for days about my Dad. He was the very first man I fell in love with. He was handsome, he was kind and he worked harder than most. When I was little, 3 to 5, he would put me in the car and we would travel! To the Post Office, Bank and THEN somewhere for food. He would hold my little hand and introduce me as his girlfriend. Out of everything I remember about my Dad, it is his hands. How he held mine, how he typed, how he held a cup, and how he danced holding my Mom's hand. I loved everything about this man. Even when he got mad...I reflect with humor. He NEVER swore. If he slipped a swear word we all ran for cover. He took me to my very first day to school. I didn't go to Kindergarten. I was told it was because I was too smart for that. Later when I was torturing my siblings with my intelligence, I was told it was because I was still a baby...attached to my parents!!! I love that now. Well, he brought me to a First Grade. M

In my defense. I am a strong woman. I am a strong wife. I am a strong mother. I am a strong advocate for the disabled. I, I, I! BUT! Without God, I am nothing. Without His guidance in my life, I am nothing. Without His love, I am nothing. Everyone has a story. Everyone of us suffers in our choices. We all suffer from someone's cruelty. I'm good until the cruelty is directed at my children. Before Kate was born I fought to keep the pregnancy. During her delivery, I fought to keep us both alive. When the doctors told us she had Down syndrome, we fought for what was best for her. When she was then diagnosed with Autism, we went into a huge fight with the public school to send her to a wonderful school for her needs! When I was put under attack for how I protected my children, I fought the derogatory barbs. If we as parents don't protect our children, who does? Society? Government? With me is BJ and my children under God's guidance. I pray all day ev

This weekend was about my husband BJ.  We took a road trip Sunday after Mass to Ohio to pick up some new pens for the show pigs.  We spent nine hours together.  It was a beautiful drive in farmland.  We had the best conversations about family.  We talked about the wedding coming up for Angel and Beau and how this is the beginning of a new chapter.  The chapters will start to come faster now.  Before you know it, it will be more marriages and  grandkids. We talked about our dreams.  We share the same dreams and more than anything we share humor.  We love to tease each other and we laugh a lot.  Laughter has gotten us through so many things.  Anger!  Hurt feelings!  BJ has this wonderful way of  saying something to shake me to a smile.  I am able to do the same.  This has lightened up many stressful moments. BJ injured his eye this past week and thank God will be okay.  It was scary.  As soon as panic rose inside of me, I took solace that God was in charge.  After a deep breath and a