Being Up With Down Syndrome

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....