Boo!

Happy Halloween!

Elephant

Rooster, duck, chicken... whichever!

Ballerina witch

Miss Halloween

Pumpkin fun!

We decided to change things up a bit this year (thanks to my sisters fabulous idea) and paint instead of carve! I thought the girls were VERY creative! Justin had a little help... but he sure loved the end result!

Our journey continues...

(photo taken by Taylee!)

Exactly one year ago today we embarked on a new journey. A journey that was new for us and very scary. One in which we felt very alone. One year ago today marks the day that we found out that our 6 month old baby boy was diagnosed with Down syndrome. I have been pondering for the past few weeks about what I would write in this post. My mind is going a million different directions, and I'm not sure I can put it all into words. We were given a gift, a very amazing gift that I could have never imagined wanting... but am forever grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing us with! I still don't feel like I deserve such a beautiful spirit in my home, but I love him more than words can express. He was put on this earth to teach me, my family, and all those whom he comes in contact with, the beautiful things in life. I look at the world through a different set of eyes now. I appreciate a slower paced life and get excited over the small things. He has such a beautiful gift of lifting spirits and making people smile. We are often told that his smile brightens the room. I am blessed to feel that every day! His little hands have touched so many hearts. We are still aware of the many challenges that lie ahead, but we will be all the better for it. Taking this journey as a family is exciting... and Justin will show us the way! I am so grateful for the unconditional love that his sisters show him. He can feel it. It is beautiful! He gives me and Tyler an amazing amount of comfort when we feel alone in this world. His light leads us through dark times. Taking this journey alone would be very discouraging and lonely. I am extremely grateful for wonderful family and friends. We have found fantastic support from many people who were once strangers. I am loving this journey! It has been amazing! Justin has grown so much in this short amount of time, but I believe I have grown even more. We have so much faith in our little boy. I know that he can make a difference in this world, just by being him!

Surrounded by cuteness!

I LOVED today! It was so nice to get a bunch of us mommies together! I have gotten to know most of these fabulous girlies from this amazing world of blogging and others through our Early Intervention Teacher. It is always so fun to tell our stories and love on everyone's kiddos!

(Israel and Emery)

(Carter and Megan)

(Mia and Justin)

(Gage, Justin, Max)

(Max and Gage)

Once most of the girls Brynn's age left, she couldn't keep away from Gage! She was lovin' him!

April and Taylee were in Heaven! They begged, and begged, and begged (you get my point) for me to pull them out of school for this, and I wouldn't budge! Lucky for them, Gage and Max were still around when they got home! WHEW!

Thank you so much ladies for making it such a fun get together! I didn't post any pictures of the Mommies... but thank you Natalie for showing up even though Bode was in school! We missed those of you that couldn't come and can't wait to see you at the next gathering!

Fall fun!

I can't believe another year has gone by already. I remember blogging about this last year... only it seemed like just a few months ago! Another family trip to the pumpkin patch!

They picked some seriously big pumpkins this year! You know what that means... more goo to dig out!

The next day we decided to go on a witch hunt at Gardner Village! Now this was my idea of Fall! Both days.... mid 70's! Loved it!

(Justin wasn't a big fan of the witches)

The witch hunt was a success! Found all of 'em! Now if only the weather would stay this nice!

Come play Monday!

Hi everyone! I am going to have a get together at my house this coming Monday, the 19th from 11-2. Kenzee will be in town that day! I have met so many Mom's who have never had a get together with other families and would love to! If your child with Down syndrome is at school, please feel free to come anyway and meet other mommies! Your other children are welcome too! I'll have my 4 year old daughter home. I know this time won't work for everyone, but feel free to come and go as you need to. I already sent this to those that are on facebook, but I didn't want to miss anyone! If you know of other people that would like to come, please let them know! I will provide drinks and some munchies and you are welcome to bring a snack to share if you would like. It should be fun! I don't want to leave my address on here... so feel free to e-mail me and I will send you the info! I'm all about doing a monthly get together too if anyone else is interested! Hope to see you all Monday!
tequick@comcast.net

Let's get together!

I know it's probably kind of weird to write a post about a get together... but most of my connections are from this amazing blog world! During this past year, I have been able to meet and get together with so many amazing families with children with Down syndrome. I don't have a big house and it's too cold to go to a park or BBQ. I'm thinking (and know that this is SO out of my element, but I love my new "family") of having a get together at my place sometime soon during the day for a few hours. I know everyone's schedules won't match up, so I'll do my best to make it several hours long so people can come and go as they need to. We can have some munchies and just hang out. There are several awesome Mommies that I have met individually, but never in a group setting that I know would love to meet more people. I would love for EVERYONE to come if they can! Like I always say, the bond that you have with these other families is real and very amazing. Leave me a little comment and let me know what days and times would work best and we'll see what we can come up with!
P.S. Even if you are secretly reading my blog and we have never met... please comment and come! To all my friends who don't live nearby... I hope to meet you all someday!

Cool tricks!

There are so many cool things that I can do. I'll share a few of them with you!
For example....

The cozy way that I sleep

How I can decorate my face with milk when I hammer my cup on my table (once I really learn how to use it, the milk might end up in my mouth)

not to mention the fun trick I can do in this video...

I know what you're thinking... You wish you were as cool as me!

"Mom... it's October, right?!"

Taylee has been waiting for me to flip the calendar from September to October! The month of October was her month to choose if she was going to go on a date with Mom or Dad. She didn't want to waste any time! She chose the first Saturday of the month... AND her Mommy!
We have a few rules for our "dates."
It's only one day out of the month and it has to stay around $15.00 They get to choose how that money is spent. (miniature golf, a movie, lunch, etc.)

This was our conversation as we were heading out...
me - "Where would you like to go on your special day?!"
Tay - "Well, I really want a new toy. Shopping is an activity, right?"
me - "Well, I guess it is, but our limit is only $15.00 for the day!"
Tay - "Perfect! I brought my wallet. You buy half of my toy and I'll buy the other half. Then we'll go out for ice cream!"
me - "If that will make you happy, then that's what we'll do!"
Tay - "OH MOM! You're the best Mom EVER!"

She was on cloud 9 with her mini pet shop toy! When she is happy... you can sure see it and feel it! She was all giggles! Love her!

It sure feels good to be the "Best Mom EVER!"

National Down syndrome awareness month!

Down Syndrome Creed

My face may be different
but my feelings the same.
I laugh and I cry
and take pride in my gains.
I was sent here among you
to teach and to love.
As God in the heavens
looks down from above.
To Him, I’m no different,
His love has no bounds;
It’s those here among you
in cities and towns
That judge me by standards
that man has imparted,
But this family I’ve chosen
will help me get started.
For I am one of the children,
so special and few ,
that came here to learn
the same as you.
That love and acceptance,
it must come from the heart.
We all have a purpose,
though not the same start.
The Lord gave me life
to live and embrace.
And I’ll do it as you do
but at my own pace.
-Unknown