Family... of all sorts

So you know by now it's Down syndrome awareness month. Most of my family and friends who read this blog know enough about Down syndrome by now... or we are lucky enough to be in this "club" together. I feel so blessed to be a part of such a beautiful family... and by that... I mean each and every family that I belong to. My family, my husbands family, my church family, my Down syndrome family.... oh how I would be so lost with out each one. (I'll warn you now... this post might not go anywhere.... my mind is racing today)

Today I am feeling all sorts of emotions...

I smile because I am happy - happy Justin chose to be a part of our family - happy simply because Justin is happy - happy because my family and friends adore him so much...
I laugh because I am proud - proud of each and every milestone - proud to be his Mom - proud of the family we've created...
I cry because I feel alone, scared, nervous, frustrated - I cry because I don't know what he wants or needs, so therefore I feel like I am failing him...
I find myself in a daze because I am thinking about our future - or I am simply trying to pick myself up from having "one of those days"...

So what this boils down to is...
We are MORE alike than different. You may or may not have a child with special needs, but we go through a lot of the same emotions. Being a part of a family is comforting. Most of the time that is what gets us through the day... each and every day.

I need people in my life that will smile, laugh with me (or at me for that matter... as long as I am in on the joke), cry with me... hey, you can even daze with me! (Dazing is best with a cold Diet Coke in hand!)

We're coming up on the 2 year mark of finding out Justin has Down syndrome. Oh boy was it scary. I cried... ask my Mom... I cried HARD. (even though I knew with all of my heart before the test that he had Down syndrome... it was difficult to hear.) I held Tyler, he held me. I tried to act strong, but I felt very weak. We both had to be strong for each other, for the girls. I couldn't sleep. I didn't know how or when to tell my girls. Would they be angry or embarrassed, or would they love him the same way the had been for the last 6 months? I was up all night doing research. My mind was racing...

I'll never forget the way I felt the next morning. What a sweet blessing we were given. It was a blessing I never thought I wanted... but a blessing Heavenly Father knew we needed.

I want to thank each one of you for being in my life. We ARE family... and I love you.
... and dear, sweet Justin... you are everything we always needed!

(picture was taken the day after we found out our sweet boy had extra special genes!)

Pumpkin Patchin'

This is THE spot. The spot we go every year with Grandma and Papa Q.... and today was gorgeous!

.... and I'm not gonna lie. I don't like fall so much. It means that snow is right around the corner.

I've got some FABULOUS info! Over $420 was raised at the Chick-fil-A fundraiser last week! Yahoo! Thanks to all those who helped out in any way!

I've got some MORE fabulous info! A playgroup has been set up for this Thursday! If you need details... send me an e-mail and I will get them to ya!
tequick (at) comcast (dot) net

Happy Fall everyone!

Fundraiser for the UDSF!

Hi friends!
I have some exciting INFO!
South Jordan Chick-fil-A is having a fundraiser for the UDSF!
Yep... you heard me!
Darling faces and Delicious food all at ONE location!

South Jordan Chick-fil-A
October 12th
5:00 - 7:00 pm
10% of all revenue will be donated!

We would LOVE to see YOU there!

P.S. loco-in-the-coconut (a blog buddy... you know who I mean) will be here from Canada! I am so excited to meet them!

Darling video...

in celebration of Down syndrome awareness month!
I absolutely LOVE positive messages... this one makes me smile!

Loads of Love to all of my angel friends...

I'll do it as you do...

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

OcToBeR...

is THE month. The month we are proud of because of having a child with Down syndrome. October is Down syndrome awareness month! Kind of crazy to think that our little angel was diagnosed with Down syndrome in the month of October two years ago. If only we had known we had more than one reason to celebrate at the time! (You can read the beginning of our journey here.) That seems so long ago, yet... just like yesterday.

I know I have been a blog slacker lately, but OcToBeR gives me good reason to blog...
We are truly grateful for our sweet blessing!

We LOVE you Justin and the joy you bring to our family!

It's that time!

... Time for the annual Utah Down Syndrome Foundation
Buddy Walk, September 18th!
I know everyone has families of their own and crazy schedules. This isn't to pressure anybody in any way! We understand that a lot of you won't be able to join us. This is just a reminder to those who would like to come! If you didn't make it last year, this is what you missed out on!
Just click on Justin's sweet picture to your right to donate to his fundraising page and/or join his team for the Buddy Walk!
Hope to see you there!

Just the way you are...

I know this video has been saturated on facebook and even other blogs... but I LOVE it and had to post it on mine! When I hear the original song on the radio, I can't help but smile!
THIS IS DARLING!
(It makes my previous post seem like no big deal, because I DO love my sweet Justin Just The Way He Is.... and that's ALL that matters!)

Pure sweetness...

I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. I am very used to people staring at Justin or whispering to their partner, "Did you see that boy? He totally has Down syndrome." But that's ok. I am a proud Mama. A VERY proud Mama. It's something I have gotten very used to. But the other day when we were out as a family, Justin was doing his DARLING wave. He will wave to everyone... and he won't stop until you wave back. He is persistent. Well, he was waving frantically at this young woman. She would stare at him and look at her friends and laugh. (and it wasn't a nice laugh. It was a... oh my gosh I am totally not waving to HIM laugh.) She was NOT going to wave back. I was the only one who could see the situation. So I asked Tyler to grab him. I didn't need or want to see anymore of their actions. As soon as Justin was out of her sight, she says to her friends, "TOTALLY has Down syndrome... Hahahaha!" Tyler could see the look in my eyes. Luckily my girls didn't notice what was going on. We were having such a wonderful night out as a family and I didn't want to cause a scene. I chose to leave it alone. But I'm not going to lie... it hurts. I guess I am writing this post because we need to educate our family and friends to PLEASE treat our children and other people who are differently abled like you would treat anyone else. I'm not asking for much. Just a simple smile or wave back is all I ask...

Why would you deny this cute little guy?

So tonight as I was cuddling with my sleeping boy... I gave thanks to my Heavenly Father for blessing us with such a sweet spirit. Because that's exactly what he is.... PURE sweetness!

Welcome!

I am going to assume that if you are reading this... you have my new blog address! Thank you Kristin for the help! I thought I had to start all over! I plan to blog more often now... I promise! Hope to find everyone well!

Some changes...

Hey friends! I am going to be changing my blog address. If you'd like to keep reading, please e-mail me and I will let you know what it will be. This might be easier than starting all over...
tequick (at) comcast (dot) net

Help!

There is a way to get your blog printed into a book, right? Has anyone done it? Were you happy with it? Is it gonna cost me a pretty penny? I need some info my friends! Once I do this... my blog will be waving good-bye...
But it won't be forever...
Hope everyone is well!

The blog has been neglected...

BIG time...

So we'll see what we can do to catch it up a bit!

6th grade and 3rd grade already! (they started two weeks ago. Remember... the blog has been neglected)
The BIG kindergarten year! She started last week and loves it! She is giddy about going... until she gets there. We've shed a few tears, but we're getting through it!
Their teachers are fabulous this year and they all have great friends in their classes! That always makes for a wonderful year!
Since we are year round... this is their last week of school before we go off track! We're excited to be able to enjoy a little bit more of summer!
And of course Justin... who continues to keep us on our toes! He has a new found love for slides! Can't get enough of 'em! His favorite spot... HIS chair where he requests to watch Baby Signing Time over, and over, and over again!
I haven't had a chance to post about the upcoming Buddy Walk... but it's right around the corner! September 18th to be exact! I will get the info posted soon so that you can register to be on his team! We'd love to see you there!

Whew.... I actually updated the blog!

3 weeks...1 post

Three weeks ago my 5th grader and 2nd grader had their last day of school....

and oh how we LOVED their teachers! (poor Taylee cried for 2 hours straight. So did her sweet teacher...)

We had to turn the frown upside down... so off we went to start our summer!

California FUN began!
a little firework action...Camping at Pismo beach baby!

Taylee's only request for Grandma.... S'mores!
Ummm.... April wasn't too fond of the fishing thing!

Back home... Early Intervention summer fun at Wheeler Farm!

Summer fair with Great Grandma!

Despicable me as a family!

Oh boy did we have fun these last 3 weeks! We had fun with cousins, friends, and grandparents. Many sleepovers, late nights, and other fun activities that weren't captured on camera.
A new post will be coming soon as a new school year approaches tomorrow....
A 6th grader, 3rd grader, kindergartener, and pre-schooler! Wow, I think I'll be busy!

Terrible Two's?!

When he smiles like this... he melts my heart. Luckily, he does this often! (whew) But another thing he's been doing more often than I'd like is everything that falls into the terrible two category. Let me break this down for you...
hitting
then hitting again
biting
then hitting after the bite
pulling hair, earrings, or anything that hangs
tantrums - and by that I mean big boy tantrums like I've never seen before
... and just to clarify - We do NOT let him get away with it. We have been telling him "We do NOT hit, bite, etc." He'll look at you all sweet (do a little fake cry) and whack you with the other hand. Ask my sisters, mother, friends, etc. They've experienced it. (so, so sorry)
Yes, I'm venting. If you want to read something more positive, scroll to the end. (Look, my posts can't always be sweet and happy. This is reality, right?)
I know he's 2 and all 2 year olds go through this. I also know that he's a 2 year old that can't communicate like most other 2 year olds can. He's also a 2 year old that can't do what the other 2 year old kids are doing (yet). I KNOW he's frustrated, but so am I. Any advice would surely help. I love my munchkin.... he's such a great blessing. I truly wouldn't trade him for the world. Just looking for some guidance!

He keeps us laughing. This is his new trick. Once in a while he'll bring his hands up and balance on his head. Funny boy!

We are very proud of him! He's been holding our hand and walking a lot lately. (one of our goals with Early Intervention) While we were in California, he decided to take a few steps. Yes, it was for something yummy... but a step is a step! I tried to upload the video... but blogger wouldn't let me. Some of you have seen it on facebook.
On a positive note... once in a while at the end of the day (when we are both totally exhausted) he'll fall asleep in my arms. There is NOTHING better than that!

Thankful Thursday!

You know.... being a Mommy isn't always easy, but I sure do love my munchkins!

14 years ago today...

I married my best friend!

And these 14 years have been the best years of my life... I love you!