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 đ ~ Through Almond Eyes ~ With childlike faith and simpleness Trusting and […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. Â I cry, I laugh with joy, I worry & fret, I ache with longing, yet rejoice in who she is Her spirit- so […]
 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, […]
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 …… [Tweet “Sometimes the most #precious #gifts were never desired in the first place. #downsyndrome #treasure”] c When Bethany was born and the genetic testing came […]
[box] RAM- 1)Random Access Memory-RAM in the computer is like short-term memory in our brain. The hard disk in our computer is comparable to our long term memory. [/box] 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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! Â Listen, […]
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 […]
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 […]
