I am so far behind on updating this blog!  Back at the end of July and beginning of Aug, Kayla and I headed to Nashville, TN for the National Miss Amazing Summit.  South Carolina didn't have a state event; instead it was just video submissions. Kayla and another teen represented SC in the Teen category.  This was Kayla's first time going to a Miss Amazing event and she had a blast. She enjoyed meeting so many other representatives from all over the U.S.  There is also a pretty cool story about the dress she is wearing. The dress has come to be called "The Sisterhood of ..read more

 Yes, my little "Blueberry Eyes" - the girl, not the blog - is eighteen years old today.  How can that be? How can it be 18 years since I took this tiny little human home?  On her third birthday I wrote the post "Guilt" that later became one of the stories included in Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children With Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives.  As her birthday was approaching I've thought about that post, and her birth day, and how I felt and handled the realization that she was born with Down syndrome. In that post I said that I hoped writing it all down would lead m ..read more

 March 16, 2020.  That was the day South Carolina 'shut down'. That was the day schools closed and work from home orders were given. It was so surreal, wasn't it? We thought: two weeks. Two weeks and they'll be back in school. How little did we know and how quickly things changed.  In the week leading up to that date Lucas had a soccer game. I remember watching from the sidelines as the ref called the 2 captains over for pregame stuff and then indicated a handshake...I thought to myself, "Ugh. Why? The kids have been hearing in school and on the news and at home to forego handsh ..read more

My 'baby' turns 13 today!   I can't believe I have two teenagers now. As much as I've stressed to Lucas how exciting turning 13 is and that it's a milestone birthday; he just isn't buying it. He thinks there is nothing unique about 13 - despite it signifying the start of the teen years! In his words there is nothing different that happens when you're 13: - you can't drive - you can't vote - you can't play the lottery - you can't drink  So ... nothing changes. I guess he has a point!  A lot has changed since his birthday last year. We were in Myrtle Beach for Kayla's ar ..read more

Last year's Sweet 16th birthday was the best ever. Nothing could compare to that magical day. However, who would have predicted what birthdays would look like come 2020?! This year said it wasn't even going to attempt to match last year's birthday! Kayla woke up on her birthday (last month, I'm late in posting!) so excited to be SEVENTEEN! She came downstairs and saw the little bit of decorations I put up in the kitchen and declared it the "best birthday ever!" I was like, "Ummm...Kayla? Better than last year? Really? Your Sweet 16 going to Boston, seeing the Red Sox, g ..read more

I've seen a meme floating around social media every once in a while with various pictures and the caption: If you want to know how to treat someone with a disability just watch their siblings, they will show you. I thought about Lucas and all the times he has shown how thoughtful and caring he can be towards Kayla. Even back when he was in preschool and early elementary school he seemed to always put her first. He frequently would pick something out of the "treasure box" for Kayla. (It goes both ways, if Kayla was at a medical appointment she would always ask to get a lollipop or sticker or ..read more

My not-so-little kiddo is now twelve! Lucas is almost as tall as me now; I wouldn't be surprised if he's taller than me by his 13th birthday! Kayla had an archery tournament in Myrtle Beach, and just like a few years ago, it fell right around his birthday. My mom, stepdad, sister, and grandfather met us in Myrtle Beach for Kaya's tournament and an early birthday celebration. So glad we were able to get together.  When we got back home we had a fun time roller skating on his birthday, and in a couple weeks he'll have his friend birthday party.  He continues to enjoy soccer, chess ..read more

A fellow mom from the Down syndrome community put together a wonderful video for National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. This video features teens with Down syndrome sharing what they are - i.e. swimmer, kind, smart, strong, a star. Kayla, my *fearless* girl, makes an appearance at :58 seconds in. Check her out ..read more

Kayla recently joined the Special Olympics Track team. She also recently got a fitness watch. The watch can track walking, running, biking, and sleeping. She likes to press the "bike" icon before we head out on our usual morning bike ride (PE time!) even once coming to a sudden stop in front of me and yelling "I forgot to start my watch! (on bike mode)" Oh this child of mine cracks me up. At this most recent track training session she was lined up to run ... and she got distracted making sure she was putting her watch to the "run" setting. She completely ignores the "GO" and instead stands at ..read more

Today, Oct 1, is the start of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. For 10 years I participated (and later hosted) the annual 31 for 21 blog challenge. I didn't do it last year and I doubt I will put up 31 posts this month. I do miss doing it, but over the years interest and participation waned; and most people now just use FB, Twitter, and/or Instagram to post a daily picture or fact about Down syndrome. After 10 years of 31 for 21 and 13 years of blogging in general I'm not sure what more I can blog about anyway. What more about Down syndrome can I write about? How much more awareness a ..read more