• Day 17 :: Resist or Yield?

    One of the challenges that Mason faces with having Down Syndrome is low muscle tone.  For the past year he’s been getting physical therapy in order to help him be able to sit, roll over, crawl, walk, etc.  Most children develop these skills naturally, they don’t have to be taught.  But for Mason, he needs to be shown how to get out of a sitting position, that his feet are a part of his body and he needs to use them in order to get around, and that he can move a lot faster by doing it on his hands and knees. Our physical therapist is wonderful and Mason really…

  • 3-21

    If you had asked me eleven months ago what was special about today’s date, I would have immediately answered, “Sometimes it’s the first day of spring.” Now, a new answer would come from my mouth,  “Today is World Down Syndrome Day.” They chose this day, March 21, because it represents what is true of all people with Down Syndrome:  instead of two of the 21st chromosome, people with Down Syndrome have three of the 21st chromosome.  Down Syndrome is clinically called Trisomy 21. My son was diagnosed with Trisomy 21 just two weeks after he was born, in April of last year.  Much has changed in my life since that…

  • Mason at 9 Months

    In case you hadn’t realized, this week is updates on the kids week.  I do have some projects and recipes coming up soon, but January is my month to sort of get organized, plan, and de-clutter.  So, I thought it would be appropriate to update you on some family news.  Hope you don’t mind!  {I know the Grandmas enjoy it}. Sunday marked 9 months for Mason.  Wow, time sure does fly by!  It seems like with each child the time just goes by even faster.  The past nine months have been wonderful, but also emotionally challenging at times.  We have been so blessed to have a child with Down Syndrome…

  • Day 3 :: Dealing with the Hard Stuff

    Hard stuff happens.    The Bible addresses hard stuff countless times.  James calls hard stuff trials, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” {James 1:2}. Count it joy.  This is a tough one!  It’s easy to count that good stuff joy, but trials?  What would make me crazy enough to think that is a good idea?  I really have to count it joy that my son has Down Syndrome?  It was a challenge for me to find any joy in this.  I sure didn’t feel like rejoicing.  I only felt like crying.   But, the verse doesn’t end at this.  We’re given a reason for…

  • Day 2: Bad is About Perspective

    source The day that we came home from the hospital with Mason, I remember sitting on the couch with my mom, breaking the news to her that Mason might have Down Syndrome.  We cried together, and Bradley answered her questions, as best as he could.  During our conversation I remember distinctly saying to her, “This is awful.”  And, I meant it. For about a week I couldn’t stop thinking this.  I would find out more of the health risks associated with Down Syndrome, and would panic at the thought that Mason might have leukemia, be deaf, or have a hard time speaking properly.  Mostly, I didn’t want him to be…

  • A New & Unexpected Journey

    “I’m concerned that Mason might have Down Syndrome.”These were the words spoken to me the morning after our son was born.  Nothing could have prepared me for this and it was one of the most difficult things that I had ever heard.  “What makes you think so”, I asked. The Doctor paused and began to explain what he saw–one less crease in the palm of his hands, extra skin on his neck–things I hadn’t even noticed.  Without other common medical conditions present in children with Down Syndrome, he couldn’t be certain until they ran a blood test, the results of which would take two weeks. In that moment all that I…