Being Up With Down Syndrome

It sure has been a rough time this year.  I really thought this year was going to be spectacular and finally peace among us.  How naive I still am.  Or is it the Pollyanna in me. Seeing Charlie Kirk get assassinated shook me and many others to the core.  I loved Charlie and what he stood for and yet!  I am so surprised at exactly how many people he touched.  Behind the scenes he was such a testament of who we should be.  He was genuinely GOOD!  How many times from thousands of friends did they say how he checked in on them and the encouragement he shared with them.   Now Revivals are breaking out and the younger generation is praising God in millions.  Does it make you think about yourself and how you make a difference in people’s lives?  Do you realize that your kindness and friendship is so much more powerful than you think?   When we want to mourn and hide away, we are being called to action.  Action with Praise and Glo...

Happy New Year!  What a year it was!  BJ had two surgeries and is on the mend to a healthier 2019.  Beau and Angel celebrated their first year of marriage and a move to a great place.  Beau starts school for getting accepted into the Union.  Angel is working with little children and we are so proud of both of them.  Maria moved closer to school and got a car.  She is getting ready to graduate and is still working on her business.  We are so proud of her and love seeing all the wonderful changes coming her way.  Ireland is Revving up for a new semester at Franciscan and loving being on campus more.  She was so extraordinary in helping renovate part of the house, so talented. We are so proud of her and all the things she is learning.  Trinity is very much in love with ballet.  Taking it three days a week and on the home front working with her lamb for Farm Show.  She loves her on-line classes and is moving so fast! ...

Merry Christmas!!!  So much has been going on for months.  It is a constant and I’m looking forward to spending the holidays with family and friends at a slower pace. I made a decision to have the Christmas spirit and not stress over anything.  So far, it’s working!!!  The difference this year from last is less “stuff” and more “family”!  We are having a huge family party with all of my siblings and families.  First time we are all together in a while.  We always wonder why after we visit, love and laugh!!!   We are having a feast, white elephant fun and a GAME!  My family loves a good game!!!  My Mom will be in her wonderful glory to see us all be together and to cuddle the grandchildren.   Our children will love being with their Grandma, Aunts and Uncles and cousins.  All to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  We anticipate the Holy Mass and celebrating this feast.  The birth of Our Lord!  The beau...

Kate is a First Grader.  Now to most people this is cute.  To Kate this is very very important.  She is a big girl!  She is a First Grader!  She is NOT a baby anymore, she is a big girl that can do things, if you use your asking, in First Grader form.  "Kate, you need to take this medicine"  Kate turns away... "Kate, you're a First Grader now!  First Graders take their medicine when their Mommy asks them to" proceeds to take medicine.  THEN prances the First Grader walk.  Any praise for being a big girl, goes further than anything. Over the weekend my husband and I escaped for an overnight date night.  My daughter Maria came home to stay with her sisters.  When I told Kate she was having a sisters fun night, because she is now a First Grader, she was thrilled.  They watched movies, ate junk and enjoyed each other.  They let her stay up an extra two hours.  It was a great night of my dreams for them. It's...

I haven't written in a while. Our lives here on the farm have been incredibly busy! I can't remember ever having a summer with so much to be done. BJ had to have major surgery on his right rotator cuff. It ended up being more damage than he thought but his surgeon, God bless him, did a fantastic job. He has been unable to do much of anything for three weeks and we have three more weeks before he can drive again. Before this surgery we had three projects to get done. The first, a garden, second, painting our livingroom and dining room. Third, making a space in our room for a recliner, for BJ to sleep in the first few nights after surgery. The garden ended up being very small but it taught me what I'm capable of doing by myself. The second, the painting, is almost complete. Just a few little things and we will be done, thanks to my daughters Maria, Ireland and Trinity. The space in our room is fantastic and the wheels are turning for how to modernize our room nex...

Connie Schultz is an opinion writer.  Her opinions are fed by hatred of our President.  They are published as if they are facts but just know that this is her opinion.  Connie Schultz is married to United States Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown from Ohio.  She has very strong opinions that I completely disagree with and I am sure I’m not alone. Her latest opinion on the Annapolis shooting at the Capital Gazette.  A man opened fire in the Newspaper and did the unthinkable, he killed innocent people.  His anger stemmed from an article that was written about him stalking a woman.  He sued the paper and lost.  His hatred festered until he exploded.  Those are the facts. My opinion is not a blame on President Trump, who has brought to light how despicable the National news media’s have become.  As an American, I am stunned by the lack of truth that the big National News have participated in.  The hatred is fed by the media....

Connie Schultz is an opinion writer I stumbled on that is also married to Senator Sherrod Brown (D).  She wrote this opinion piece about illegal immigrants being rounded up in Ohio.  Total opinion story with very little real facts.   I read this after coyotes howling last night woke me up.  I went to look at who she is.  Her fb page has many responses on what she posts,  with pure hatred for President Trump.   It is so interesting how I felt for the Obama regime.  I felt beat.  I felt sad and angry and helpless.  I felt this way because I went to the grocery store on a slim budget and bought things that shrunk in size but went up in price.  Our company was at a stand still because we couldn’t afford to hire more employees due to Obamacare.  Our healthcare was horrible.  We even were without for a short time.  I felt this way because the United States tax money was paying for the abortions of women not only i...

I am so very very blessed.  My family took such time and effort to make this Mother's Day special.  It wasn't just Mother's Day, it was the whole weekend of love.  Not only my family, but Kate's school!   Today being Monday and back to reality, made me reflect on all my blessings.  I felt energized today. On Friday, Kate's school had a Mother's Day brunch.  It was beautiful!  Food and coffee made by the students.  We got to see the Music Room and we were very much entertained by some really wonderful students.  Then we got to shop in the little store where Kate helps bag the goodies.  The deep appreciation of what this school has brought us is not measurable by just words.  We have come to love the teachers and therapists as family.  Michelle that runs the school is one of the kindest souls in this school, I could say this about all that help Kate.  Pure kindness.   On Saturday, Kate had a special day.  ...

Today is a new day.  May 1, is going to be my new favorite day of the year.  Today as I drove Kate to school and the rest to Franciscan University, I reflected on the positive. This has been difficult lately, I'm a little ashamed at how untrusting I have been with God.  He is always in control and I have been a very stubborn child. This blog was to be about Kate and our family as we travel through the life of a child with Down Syndrome and Autism.  Now, I feel that we need to just travel through all of our lives!  Kate is doing so well at her school.  We are almost to the end of our first school year with Kate and we couldn't be happier with her progress.  So many positive changes and we look forward to everything in her future.  I will still blog about her progress and much, much more. As of right now, I am off Facebook.  My reason is because of the huge mix of hatred.  I do not hate anyone and at the same time, I have strong politi...

Today is Saturday and I took a break. I have been hiding today for a variety of reasons, but mostly from burn-out. The list of duties is never ending along with the chores. The endless, laundry, dishes and cleaning along with a lot of illness on many levels. Burn-out. I can hear Kate's growling. It's her new thing to do when she is unhappy. When I am back in my room where laundry is too, bad mistake, I can hear her communication better than ever. She raspberry's when she needs changed and growls when she wants the channel changed or attention. She brings us her snippy cup when she wants more to drink and gets plain crabby like the rest of us when hungry. She is embarking on a new communications program at school. We will soon be purchasing a new iPad and a program named LAMP. Kate really likes it and it will make all our lives easier. So today is Magnolia Magazines and books on planting our garden. We are planning on raised beds this year with a few pots of di...

Every year we plan different books, readings and prayers for our Lent. Lent is never what we plan. So this year I decided to truly surrender to God’s plan for our marriage, children and disabilities. Now the disabilities part, you think I’m referring to Kate, but I’m actually referring to all of us.Fear can be a true disability. Completely trusting in God is not easy, especially if your other disability is micromanaging! Kate has a compromised immune system. Kate needs to see an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. She is having some swallowing issues. This is where my disability kicks in. Kate is six and for all of her life, I have been trying to treat ailments with more vitamins, essential oils and pro-biotic. God is so good that we have the blessing of seeking medical care. As I got older, I changed immensely on what the medical field can do for her. Trying not to have Kate to the Doctors at every ailment. Many times leaving the Doctors office with a new ailment picked up in the waiting...

Praising God for all His blessings in our lives this past year and asking Him for His graces in 2018! This past year was busy and very telling.  Kate getting into her special school and thriving!  We can't wait to see what 2018 brings.  This school is better than we imagined and we are so grateful for every single person at this school. This New Year is the year for true forgiveness.  To forgive.  Forgiveness is not a feeling, it’s an action.  I find myself drawn to love and forgiveness more this New Year than ever.  To be free of condemnation.  To support BJ in our new business endeavors!  We have such high hopes and the future is bright with promise.  God has this!  He always has this! So Happy New Year everyone and may God keep and bless you in 2018 and always!

I read an  article  about David Cassidy's last words.  "SO MUCH WASTED TIME!" This resonate's in my families lives.  There are people in my own family not speaking to each other.  There are people in my husband's family not speaking to us.  The reasons?  Everyone has their own opinion on who is right.  Our children see it all.  Hear it all.  Tuck it away inside.  We have tried to make peace but it takes the other side to want this too.  They made it loud and clear they want none of us.  So much wasted time. So.  How do you fix this?  You don't.  You forgive and then you turn to the ones who you love and love you back.  Don't waste time. Find those around you that bring you joy!  Laughter!  LOVE! Everyday I wake up and pray in gratitude for blessing me.  Thankful for our busy life. Kate is turning SIX YEARS OLD, November 30.  Almost six years ago we were thrown into the unknown....

Kate is doing fantastic in her new school!   Kate needed more structure with a teacher, two aides and three therapists.  You may wonder how I can Homeschool Kate! Well, the first job as parents is to bring our children to Christ!  That job is mine and our family's.  Teaching our children to pray is so very special.  I still have to help Kate to make the sign of the cross, but she then folds her hands in prayer.  When showing Kate a beautiful picture of Jesus, she began to squeal and laugh with joy.  This was so special to me!  I could see that she knows who he is and loves him unconditionally.   As we place holy statues and pictures throughout our house we are showing Kate her family!  Wondering how to teach a child with special needs who Jesus and Mary are, worried me some.  Her reaction tells me that she is well aware of her heavenly family.   Her big brother Beau recently got married and Kate was the flower girl....

The title is how I feel.  The reality is that Dan is my cousin.  Our Dads were/are brothers.  Both men now in Heaven.  I am five years younger than Dan.  It doesn't matter now, but back in the day I was the little cousin.  He is so so funny.  He has THE best sense of humor and one liners ever.  I always felt a special place in my heart for him.  What changed our relationship was love.  We always loved each other but it was by jokes and so much joyful laughter.  Then I was almost killed in a car accident when I was 20.  It shook him.  He wrote me a wonderful poem/card about how everyone and how he felt.  Through my life, he was always there, somewhere...  I depended on this.  When my Dad died he was a big part of my strength.  I suffered greatly from depression that first year.  He was "around".  Then Dan's Dad got sick with Cancer.  I loved my Uncle Tom and needed to be there.  By th...

Today I realized something amazing has happened. I found peace. Every weekday morning Kate happily gets out of bed EXCITED to go to school. She loves it so much and so do we. When we walk into school in the morning she can barely contain herself, waiting for her teacher to come and take her to class. She smiles bigley! For the first time since I was pregnant with her I am not worried about her. We see her changing so much! She is calmer. She is more engaged. She is listening to directions and she is so loving. To not worry about Kate is so new and so peaceful. The teachers and all the workers are so kind and caring. We knew this school was a perfect fit. Trinity and I witnessed a very stressful event with a child in the parking lot, one morning. The school was so on top of it and expertly handled the incident professionally and lovingly. To work full-time with special needs children, you need a loving heart. That is all I see. I see parents that want so much for their ...

Kate's first week of school flew by! Her first day she took her Teachers hand and walked to her classroom, just as she should! We did not shed a tear. We fought the hard fight and won. This is exactly where Kate needs to be. We all know it and are so excited that she will grow into a more competent Kate. More independent and choosing what she likes and not about what we want. We can't wait for the day she can tell me what she wants to eat. What her favorite color is. What she thinks is pretty. What she wants for her birthday or Christmas. All these things we took for granted. We are so proud of her. God led us to this peaceful road after much heartache. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

I CANNOT believe it is 30 years. Honestly, it seems like last year when I think about it. To this day, I feel that pain in my heart. We lost you to an accident. Recently your wonderful, wonderful sister Suann told me you weren't wearing your seatbelt. I was stunned by that because of my terrible accident the year before. I know, I know I told you that my seatbelt saved my life. Dave can vouch for this. I looked like a raccoon you said!!! Two black eyes staring at you... Well Paul. Your dad and mom are with you now officially this year. Thank you for giving me them, as mine. They loved me unconditionally and laughed at all my antics. I still have your siblings.  At the luncheon after your mom's funeral I sat with Tommy, Vicki and Walter.  I love your family.  Such a kind family.  I invited Walter up to hunt and fish! So, Jim and John are with you now. I thought we would all live to be 90. I always thought I would see you all again. When we did, no ti...