Breathing a sigh of relief here today. Yesterday was Bethany’s annual EVALUATION. Six years ago, Bethany finally got off a waiting list and was approved for a MR/DD Waiver. ick- ick- ICK!!!! (was that enough emphasis to get my point across đ ) IÂ hate the label- Mentally Retarded/ Developmentally Disabled. I mean really, who […]
World Down Syndrome Day is March 21st IDSC is uniting with bloggers and parents all over the world to celebrate “Who I Am” – an awareness campaign to help people understand that ALL of life is precious! Don’t forget to come back this Thursday, the 21st, to view the exciting video but for today- Here’s […]
God makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. Psalm 104:3 Grace and Inspiration have kept our home functioning since Jeff has been in Cuba, on a mission trip. I miss him terribly, but God’s helping me see the bigger picture- the eternal perspective- [Tweet “Sometimes we need to be […]
I think of myself as a free spirit- freedom = happy. Love that verse- Whom the Son has set free, they are free indeed. I’m the first to admit, I don’t like restraints, limits, boundaries- at least without being told why. đ s Surely somebody besides me can relate? speed limits, seat belt laws, any […]
Jeff & I were raised in a small town (750 people đ ) a beautiful Methodist church, rich with tradition and filled with saints I still admire. It’s glory was the fantastic stained glass windows. I always imagined I was the little lamb Jesus was carrying! [Tweet “Jesus is the Good #Shepherd. He #carries us […]
 I actually had someone ask me the other day, “How’s your downs girl?” My downs girl?! MY DOWNS GIRL?!!!! I looked at them in stunned silence? Seriously, if you can’t remember her name, don’t ask- please! “Do you mean my DAUGHTER, Bethany?” They had the wisdom to look embarrassed. I don’t see downs syndrome, […]
If you’ve never heard, read, or seen Joni’s story (yes, there’s even a movie about her amazing life đ ) you need to get to know this phenomenal woman and her faith in God! Talk about Eternal Perspective!!!!  Click to visit http://www.joniandfriends.org/ Ask yourself: What if you suddenly lost your mobility? What if you […]
Way back when (gosh that makes me sound old LOL) I loved playing my records (Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, Jungle Book- then later, Donny Osmond & The Partridge Family) on my very own record player. I would carefully lift the “arm” that held the needle and place it gently so as not to scratch the grooves in the record. Scratches […]
Thank you Wayne, for sharing this insight as a parent who has been gifted to parent a child with special needs. I’m continually amazed by His love- Cindy A Letter to My Son- by Wayne Stauffer  published 1994 – Exceptional Parenting Magazine Dear Timmy, It’s hard to think of all I’ve learned from you that […]
My guest today is Timmy Stauffer… the son of our good friend from high school, Wayne & Debbie Stauffer. I was drawn to learn more about Timmy when Wayne posted on FB, that his son had never wanted to pray for healing from Cerebral Palsy. He has always believed that God will use it for […]
October is National Downs Syndrome Awareness month. Bloggers are being encouraged to post 31 days to bring awareness & celebrate people with DS are deserving of inclusion and equality. October is also National Clergy Appreciation month, Fire Safety month, Pregnancy Loss & Infant Loss awareness, Rett Syndrome month, Breast Cancer Awareness month, Domestic Violence awareness, National […]
Monday morning we went to the Dr. and learned that Bethany’s eardrum had collapsed inward and was laying on top of the bones which shouldn’t be showing đ  The picture is not for the faint of heart but this is NOT how your eardrum should look! Basically, the negative pressure sucked it in, diminishing the […]
Bethany and I are still working on “talking fast” (see previous post) Days of practicing is opening my eyes to the MAMMOTH task set before us. I didn’t realize how many aspects to talking and conversation there really is. She wants me to “script” her talking LOL- and that just isn’t possible. I feel like […]
 My most challenging ongoing lesson:  “Letting Go-d” Years of protecting, nurturing, & shielding her from the “looks”, “nonacceptance”, negative experiences, or situations where she would flounder, have left me with a bit of a “nest” mentality. I know the “nest” where we are safe- where we thrive- where Bethany is safeguarded and secure – where […]
 “Mommy- I need your help. I want to talk fast.” Somewhat distracted, but thinking how cute she is when she’s so serious about something, I reply, “Hmmm? What? What do you mean, Bethie? My brain began scrambling for an interpretation- does she mean she wants to talk without stuttering when she gets excited or […]