I would never have chosen the new world I was thrust into-
but God surprised me with treasure that will endure forever.
Here’s some Treasure I’ve found in the world of “special needs” and “down syndrome”!
The Best of Bethany
What’s On Your Mind?
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear turn around Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear touch the ground Teddy Bear- Teddy Bear WAIT! Why in the world am I singing this song????? LOL. I had just spent the last couple of hours with our 2 year old grandson, Titus. We played and sang, and as it happened, the […]
I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength
Bethany recently danced a solo at her Dazzler Dance recital. This marked her 12th and final year dancing with this amazing dance production team. Her song choice was- Nothing is Impossible, by Planet Shakers. Bethany could hardly sleep the night before the recital! Before we prayed, she said, “Mom, God must have had me choose […]
Why Do Hard Things?
The race is not always won by the swiftest, the battle is not always won by the strongest; …..nor does success always come to those with the most intelligence….. Ecclesiastes 9:11 NET You’ll never know what you can do until you try, try again. #downsyndrome #perseverance Click To Tweet In the “old days” (1970 […]
Sparkle Your World- 16 Candles
“You are the light of the world–like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 Our baby- the youngest of 7- blew out 16 candles last month! what? Yep- Bethany is Sweet 16….. In March, I’d thrown a big dance party for my Dad’s 90th birthday and Bethany was enraptured. […]
Inside Out- Insights from the Heart #downsyndrome
Want an honest, simple, love-filled insight about life?- ask someone with #downsyndrome. Click To Tweet The birds were singing, the sun was shining, the air was crisp and cool. Bethany and I swung clasped hands as we walked. “Mom. I’ve been thinking.” Laughing I said, “I love your thinking! What have you been […]
Down Syndrome: Dating, Dreams and Desires
Need #wisdom? #Ask God, who gives generously to ALL without finding fault. James 1:5 Click To Tweet Parenting- the never ending adventure 🙂 Breathe Cindy, Breathe- after all you have raised 5 other teenagers and survived- ummm I mean thrived. 😉 I know God holds ALL the answers to our problems but sometimes I […]
Inclusion is Belonging; a Circle and Respect
Honor all people. Love everyone. I Peter 2:17 (this is a re-worked article that was originally posted @SnappinMinistries- Blogger) Wouldn’t it be amazing if all people grabbed hold of this verse and lived it out on a daily basis? s Honor all #people. Love everyone. I Peter 2:17 Click To Tweet s As a […]
For the Love of the Babies- by Bethany
Bethany loves. Bethany especially loves babies. And that’s an understatement. Life is simple for Bethany. Her mantra: If we love everyone, everything will be all right. Bethany recently turned 15. We’ve dreamed of God using her to become an advocate for down syndrome and for LIFE. Because of prenatal testing, fear mongering, and […]
15 Candles: Shining Bright
Be #intentional! #Celebrate every #good #gift! #thankfulness Click To Tweet 15 Candles – Shining Bright Bethany’s birthday is a mysterious conundrum. July 23rd is forever intertwined in my head and heart with Bethany’s sister, our 2nd daughter, Kristin Faith. * Kristin and Bethany share birthdays- July 23rd- separated by 17 years. Though they share birthdays, […]
Dancing With Our Father God
“I want Daddy to stay home from work. I want to be with him all times.” If Bethie has said this once, she’s said it at least 50 times the last 2 weeks. ~ She’s her Daddy’s girl. He’s been quite busy lately and she’s quite determined (you could say obsessed) about having fun […]
Treasures of The Road Less Traveled
What #treasures will we miss if we don’t choose the road less traveled? #journey #adventure Click To Tweet “Come on Bethany! Get your shoes and jump in the car. We’re on a mission! Moriah locked her keys in the car and we’re the rescue recovery team!” Excited to help, Beth stuffed her feet into her […]
Growing Up Down Syndrome- Ready or Not
Growing Up Down Syndrome, ready or not, here it comes. It’s never far from my mind that special needs present special challenges.
The Mystery of God’s Good Plans
Do you ever wonder if God is really in control of it all? Does everything happen for His reasons? Is life just random chances or is God lovingly in charge of it all? God’s Goal for Us: #God wants you to be so convinced of His #goodness, that nothing can shake your trust in Him. […]
Unwrapping Christmas Presence- Presents!
d I tailor make a lot of Bethany’s reading books because there are some very specific things I want her to know. The first book I made was a catechism of sorts titled “Who is God?” It asks questions and then gives simple answers. ie- Who is God? God is my Creator! Who is God? God […]
Bethy Wants a Fiance’
If you didn’t catch my post about our daughter, Moriah, becoming engaged, you’ll want to click here to read their sweet story. It’s so – sigh- romantic! ♥ But as happens with life, one story has many back stories. There is no such thing in life as clear cut or one dimensional. Millions of […]
~Almond Eyes~
When I submitted this poem to Faithwriters in 2010, it became the catalyst that gave me courage to write about my journey finding the Surprising Treasures hidden among the challenges and difficulties of life. Here’s the poem that started it all 🙂 ~ Through Almond Eyes ~ With childlike faith and simpleness Trusting and […]
Who I Am- Bethany Anne Barclay
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 […]
I Not Want Downs Syndrome Anymore!
Today was a “gray day” Not outside, the sun was shining, but inside our home & hearts, a storm was brewing. It was the kind of day, you’re glad you’ve been “storing up” lots of inspirational words & absorbing the the tangible love of family and friends; because, just like we should store up money […]
Jesus Calling: Do you hear Him say your name?
Jeff & I were raised in a small town (750 people 🙂 ) 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! Jesus is the Good #Shepherd. He #carries us when […]
The Bethany Paradox
The Bethany Paradox There is no paradox in loving her- only in understanding……….. I love her so much it hurts- Embracing her vulnerable weakness Dismayed her DNA is destructively damaged. I cry, I laugh with joy, I worry & fret, I ache with longing, yet rejoice in who she is Her spirit- so […]
She’s NOT my Downs Kid- She’s my Daughter
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, […]
Special Needs: Joy to My World!
Before “special needs” made its grand entrance into our lives, I walked in ignorant bliss, unaware of hidden treasure. “Special” Needs – the gift that no one asks for …… Sometimes the most #precious #gifts were never desired in the first place. #downsyndrome #treasure Click To Tweet c When Bethany was born and the genetic […]
What’s Your Brain R.A.M. & What Are You Downloading?
We all deal with “limits” in our human brain! I know I have days where I feel “brain fog” or “brain dead”. I go into a room and forget why I went there. LOL! I go to the grocery store and come back home only to remember what I forgot to get. (oh my 🙂 […]
Special Needs and Brain Glitches
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 […]
God Collects All Your Tears
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book Psalm 56:8 God knows I must have a ginormous bottle and I’m fairly certain you do too. Sometimes, my “life between the trees” journey feels like someone unexpectedly pushed me off a […]
Hearing Problems or Problems Hearing
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 🙁 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 […]
Being Faithful With What We’ve Been Given
Faithfulness with your talents will bring God’s reward!
The 4 L’s of Life
You’ve heard of the 3 R’s- Reading- Writing- and Arithmetic- referring to to the basic and essential educational skills that must be taught in schools. This younger generation might think of 3 R’s- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- a good mantra within itself. However, I’d like to share our Learning Rules- The 4 L’s! Listen, […]
Olympic Gold
Every choice not to quit, every due diligence to try our best, every determination to live our life for God’s glory no matter what “life” throws at us- will lead us to a place in eternity where our Father will beam His approval at our “tryings”!! ~ Jesus will award His ones who have overcome […]
Happy Birthday Bethany- Finally
July 23rd- Bethany’s 12th Birthday! After 364 days of telling everyone- “Today is my Birthday!” – she finally could say it truthfully! She awoke with a giggle and a shout, “Happy Birthday Bethany!” she sang out. “Mommy, aren’t you glad it my birthday? I am.” She then proceeded to inform everyone how happy she was […]
Walkabout: DS style – Bethany’s Adolescent Journey into “Tweenland”
The term WALKABOUT was made famous from the movie Crocodile Dundee! Background: Australian: A journey through the wilderness of one’s choosing in an effort to satisfy one’s itchy feet, a need to be elsewhere, the craving for the open road, that space over the horizon… you can’t quite touch it so you have to go […]
“I almost adult” or “inside the mind of an 11 year old girl with downs syndrome”
“Mom, me and my honey, we gonna move and get our own house. You wanna live with us?” “Bethany, you don’t have a honey yet and you live with us, sweetie.” “Yes I do. My new zip be 6604 and we gonna get 5 cats, 5 dogs, 5 baby pigs, 5 goats, 5 chickens, 5 baby […]
Big Stage, Roses and Tears
Between hormones and happenings, I’ve been such a cry baby the last few days! 🙂 Thursday was the last day of school and Friday was the “Big Stage” Dance recital. Both of these events celebrated 10 months of learning AND the ENDING of yet another year of childhood. Why is it that when I was little, […]
Bethany’s Quest into 5th Grade!
As the school year winds down, next year is already being ANTICIPATED!!! This has been an incredible year of CHANGE for Bethany (and I 🙂 ) While I still home schooled Bethany in her core subjects, Bethany attended public school (4th grade) part-time for art, PE, and music. It has been a win/win decision. Home gave […]
God Out Performs Google ~ Ranked #1
This is the True Story of how Bethany, discovers God out ranks Google in every way! * “MOM! How you spell tummy?” * “t- u- mm- wait! why do you need to know?” * “I need to know so I can finish.” * Finish what?” * “Finish gettin ready to get me my baby!!!” By […]
Are All “Men” Created Equal? Inclusion & the World of Disabilities
Though our constitution truthfully states that all “men” are created equal, the reality in this fallen world is: “All” are not equally endowed. As a mom, I try to be an “equalizer”. You know, keep everything fair and more-or-less-the same. I find it’s a formidable, if not impossible task when dealing with something abstractly complicated such as “intelligence”. e […]
Simple Glory
“OK, Bethany! Can you read all these vocabulary words and use them in a sentence? “Sure, Mommy!” Beth was doing a great job until we got to a very “simple” word. It was the word- brag. Bethany read it and stared blankly at me. “Can you use it in a sentence? It means to […]
in “Dependence” Part 2
Read Part 1 if you missed it by clicking here Last night we had family dinner. Bethany was revelling in the presence of her siblings. She then decided I had made brownies because it was Micah’s birthday. This set a CIRCUS into motion Micah’s thanking her, candles are coming out, Jeff and I are trying […]
“in” Dependence & Special Needs part 1
Parenting your special needs child is challenging- as they enter their era of Independence!
Mule Moments- Insight Into Special Needs Stubbornness
Bethany ran in the house, opened her backpack to pull out a small rectangular card and breathlessly said, “Mom! Mom! Finally! I got it! The school gave it me today!” s “What’s this?” I asked taking the card. “Oh, I see, that’s so cool- you’ve got your school ID card. That’s awesome.” s “No, Mom! […]
Help Us Lowrd!
Does your heart get overwhelmed? Mine sure does. My prayers seems to be always asking, asking, asking God for help! Our Father God is available 24/7- Call Him! #prayer Click To Tweet H e l p ! Help me cope with life! Help my four friends undergoing chemotherapy! Help two precious women I love heal from miscarrying. Help for my fragile relationship with my only brother. […]
Some Missing Children Go Unreported
Bethany’s SPED teacher said she said something that made my jaw drop to the floor. “I have to admit, I’ve only taught one other child with down syndrome in my whole career.” How can that be possible?! s Even though times have changed, inclusion is the mandate of the day and children with down […]
Don’t Pick Your Toes at Church
OH- MY- GOODNESS!!! I KNOW YOU’VE ALL HEARD OF TOE-TAPPING MUSIC BUT I’M WILLING TO BET YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OR SEEN TOE PICKIN’ WORSHIP! d Life is short- we have to learn to loosen up and #laugh. #life Click To Tweet s A little background information before I share the “PLEASE GOD! OPEN UP THE […]
3 Miracles- a Special Needs Journey Toward Belonging
Do you believe God is always working in our lives, even when we can’t see it? I Believe~ I want to share 3 miracles when God spoke to us specifically about Bethany. Miracles are #surprising #mercies from the #heart of our #Father. #GodsLove Click To Tweet Now the whole world had one language […]
- What Would Your Spiritual Sonogram Reveal? - October 10, 2019
- God Thinks You’re Fantastic - September 11, 2019
- What’s On Your Mind? - August 22, 2019