"Journey with Jordan" 2010

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  If you read my blog, you're probably already aware of Down Syndrome.  Our goal is to make everyone aware of what is possible despite Down Syndrome. 

October is also that time of year when we start looking forward to the annual Buddy Walk!

We had an incredible "Journey with Jordan" team last year and I'm hoping we can pull it off again this year!

This year the walk is FREE to participate in!  We would be honored if you would join "Journey with Jordan" Saturday, November 6, 2010 @ 1pm at Jones Plaza in Downtown Houston.  Even if you aren't available to walk, please consider supporting our team through a donation!

Check out our Buddy Walk page here to register to walk and/or donate:  https://www.syssolutions.com/fr/DSAH/2010BuddyWalk/JourneywithJordan

Thank you for supporting our beautiful Jordan and in helping us raising awareness about Down Syndrome! 

10 Years

I can hardly believe it.  I have a 10 year old! 

 This beautiful, amazing, silly, wonderful, smart girl came into my life 10 years ago today and while sadness and grief reigned for the night, JOY came in the morning!
She is, in many ways, a constant reminder of God's goodness.  Of His provision.  Of His mercies and love.  When I think back to this day ten years ago, I am reminded of the immense sadness I felt about her diagnosis.  But, I'm also reminded of the love for her that washed over me.  A powerful love like I could not have imagined before that day.   I'm so blessed to have experienced the power of that love with four more children.  But, my sweet Jordan was the beginning of it all. 

I love you so much, Jordan-bug!  Happy 10th Birthday, Beautiful! 

Journey with Jordan!

We had so much fun at the Buddy Walk this year! Jordan had 22 people on her team!!! Thanks to everyone who participated with us!

Team "Journey with Jordan"

Jordan was on cloud-nine and loved having everyone there just for her! We wore leis to make our team look cohesive. They looked good, but they sure were scratchy. I really liked that the Buddy Walk T-shirts were navy except for the folks with Down Syndrome - theirs were red. It really made them stand out!

Jordan spent most of her time on Uncle Erin's shoulders. He was a really great sport!

His shirt says "I AM ... ALL THAT IS MAN"
The 'boys' riding in the wagon

Uncle Erin with Jordan and Beth with Jake

Jadyn & Jace in the wagon, seconds before Jace passed out :)

Medals at the finish!

Kylie & Jace takin' a snooze
Stopping for a snack

Buddy Walk 2009

We would love for YOU to join Jordan's team "Journey with Jordan" to help us support our beautiful girl and help raise awareness about Down Syndrome!

Go to our team page HERE and register. The first 15 people to sign up will receive a button to wear at the walk. We will also have *something* (read: I-don't-know-what-yet) to help our team look cohesive and stand out! (ideas??)

If you can't join us at the walk in person, you can still support JOURNEY WITH JORDAN as a Team Donor.

This is the only event we participate in with the Down Syndrome community. We think education, research and awareness are all important to one day having a system that will allow people with Down Syndrome to lead completely 'normal' lives - void of the medical, mental, social and neurological issues many deal with. Jordan struggles every day to learn things that come easily to "typical" children. I am so proud of the hard work she puts in, mentally and physically, but I also look forward to the day when it won't be such a struggle for kids like her & parents like us. I believe that day will come and I appreciate your support and help in getting us there!

My 9th Anniversary of being a Mom!

If I celebrate 9 years of being a mom, it can only mean one thing ...

Its Jordan's birthday! I know I say this with every birthday, but seriously, where does the time go? It seems like it flies faster and faster with each passing day!

I wish I had baby pictures in digital format (or at the very least, that my scanner was working!). It would be fun to post some of her baby pictures. Unfortunately, this is the only digital newborn picture I have of her ... The best I can do are pictures from when I first started blogging.

2006 (love those missing teeth!)

February 2007

September 2007

May 2008

September 2009

I've written before about how hard the first few months of her life were. What we couldn't fathom those first few weeks was THIS GIRL. The life we have with her. The joy that comes from being her mom (and dad ... I'll just speak for Ed here). The interests and abilities she now has. All we had then were preconceived ideas of Down Syndrome based on faulty notions, which in reality had no basis in fact. They are likely the very same ideas that (dare I say?) *most* people walk around with. Even a lot of people who have "experience" with Down Syndrome.

Jordan is a beautiful, smart, active girl who loves dancing, performing, books, school and all things music!

I have loved being a mom for nine years and I'm so thankful for my girl that started it all!

I {heart} NACD

If you know me or have been reading my blog for a while, you may be sick of me talking about NACD. But, one thing is for sure, you also know how blessed I feel to know about and to have my kids on program with the National Association of Child Development.

Most recently, they've added a new website specifically about Down Syndrome. Lots of good information for families and others interested in issues related to Down Syndrome. Check it out HERE.

I have received several emails recently from people that research NACD and "stumble" on my blog in a google search. Because of that & because they all ask how I found out about/got started with NACD, I want to share how my journey with NACD began. It's a story that only God could weave together like this ...

I have twin brothers that are 14 years my junior. My baby brothers, never mind the fact they now tower over me! They were having some learning issues (including Dyslexia) when they were in early elementary school. In an attempt to save them from Special Ed, my mom pulled them out of school, began homeschooling and started on program with NACD. I was in college at the time and didn't know details about what my mom was doing, but within a few months, there was a profound difference in both of them. Within just a couple short years {relatively speaking}, they no longer had symptoms of Dyslexia and were no longer on program with NACD! There was no denying the progress that had been made, the success that was attributable to (my mom's hard work and) NACD's approach and program. I didn't realize/appreciate at the time just what an impact it would have in my life!

A few years later, when my daughter was born and we learned about her diagnosis of Down Syndrome, I knew immediately that I would (at least) give NACD a try. We took her to her first appointment in Dallas when she was only 6 months old. It was overwhelming, but also very empowering. I was so impressed with the way Lyn looked at Jordan as an individual. She talked to me about what she saw as her weaknesses and needs & asked what my priorities were for Jordan. She mentioned some issues to monitor closely that tend to be common in children with Down Syndrome, but she never mentioned an approach or a program for Down Syndrome. She gave me a unique program that was specifically for Jordan (and me!).

We have now been on program for 8 1/2 years. I am not only on board with the neurodevelopmental approach in general, but I also treasure having their expertise and help when it comes to providing the best possible future for my daughter. My 7 year old son is also on program (a homeschool program) and in addition to a God-given gifting, I attribute his acceleration in large part to NACD.

I have little doubt that eventually our other children will be on program as well. NACD doesnt pay me/compensate me in any way for promoting them (although maybe they should??? A discount might be nice :)). I just really believe in it!

I'm always open to answering specific questions or emails about NACD, but hope this will answer the question I am asked the most!

My, How Time Flies!

Wow - I really can't believe how much catching up I have to do on my blog. And, not just mine, but on reading everyone else's. Sheesh. Where does the time go? Oh, I remember ... nursing a baby, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, homeschooling, shopping, errands, gymnastics, ballet, soccer, bathing, disciplining, referee-ing ... and on it goes! Lame excuse, I know ... but its the only one I have! I should mention that my sister-in-law, Stacey, has done a better job of blogging the latest with my kids than I have!

So, first things first, today is my friend, Ericka's birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my sweet friend! AND, today is the day that Ericka is moving from Dallas to HOUSTON!!!!! YAY! I'm totally excited for her and her family ... and of course, for myself!

Ok, now for the catching up part. The last time I wrote we were still recovering from Ike. And, that particular day was Jordan's 8th birthday! I was working on a post about that, but I deleted it since its a little far removed now. Suffice it to say I can't believe MY BABY is 8! She's such a little miracle and just amazes us. She's totally into Hannah Montana, which we think is not only hilarious and adorable ... but downright awesome! I mean, let's get this ... JORDAN is into pop culture. I love it! I know, I know, my job is to temper pop culture God's culture - and I am, but can I just say that her interest is so ... well ... TYPICAL! And, for the mom of a "special needs" child, it just doesn't get any better than 'typical!' We had a family birthday party with grandparents (even her great grandmother!), aunts, uncles, cousins and the like. It was a ton of fun! We even had a bouncy house. Not because we invited enough kids to make it worth the money, but because we knew it would just be a blast ... and it was!

I think I've mentioned that Jakey started fall soccer. Life doesn't get any better than that for him. He's totally pumped about the crazy-sized cheering section he has at his games! I mean, our immediate family alone takes up a chunk of the sidelines - add in Grandma, Gummie, Grandpa, and/or Aunt Stacey - and he's got quite the fan club! This is his first year that they keep score, and he likes it - especially since they're 3-0!

Jace is growing like a little weed and is just a cute, fat baby! I don't know what that kid weighs, but he's wearing 12 month clothes. He just turned 4 months old. There's just something not-right about that! Aunt Stacey loaned us her exer-saucer (or whatever fancy name they have for them now) - and he's our first kid that didn't need some sort of lifting device in the bottom so their feet could reach! And, he loves that thing! He turns it around and talks to all the toys on it, drools on it, you know - the usual baby thing! He also rolled over for the first time this week! He started with going from his tummy to his back on Tuesday and then the other way today! And, I guess he came pre-wired to know that practice makes perfect, because he's been rolling all over the place this afternoon! That kind of stuff never gets old! Its always fun to see the 'firsts!'

Ed's the best man in his friend, Brad's wedding this weekend. Brad was Ed's best man in our wedding, so we've been watching our wedding video this week. Jordan keeps asking where she is and thinks that my little brothers are Jake! Its hilarious how kids just can't fathom mom and dad NOT being mom and dad! We're excited for Brad and are looking forward to all the festivities this weekend! I'll be leaving Jace with my mom, and I'm not really looking forward to that. Its not my mom, its the leaving part I have an issue with. I've never been too hip on leaving my babies. But, I'm not hip on taking kids to weddings either - especially not spitty, blow-out-poopy, noisy ones like Jace! His noises are cute and all, but somehow I doubt the bride would appreciate them as much as I do!

Ok, so on to what everyone has been asking about. A house. Have we found one? Did we sell the one in Iowa? Yes. And, yes! We finally took the company buy-out with our house in Iowa which equated to a financial beating. We lost about 20 grand. Considering the market, ok. But, we had to take a nice chunk of change to closing and that just doesn't sit well with me. Paying money for a house I'll never see again? Ugh. Needless to say, we had to re-evaluate our buying plans here. Part of God's plan, no doubt. We've been feeling convicted about the need to simplify and spend less. That's not to say we've been called to live in a box somewhere. But, we did go down in our price range and found a fantastic home we're really excited about. Its new construction, but has already been started and we should close before the end of the year! From a homeschooling standpoint, the kids have a new unit study they are excited about - home building! We'll be taking lots of pictures of the progress ... and you'll probably "get" to see more than you care to!

All Revved up

I've completely neglected my blog for a while now ... and even reading your blogs. So, on that note, if you know I typically read your blog and you've made any big announcements and such that I didn't comment on, please let me know! :-)
Anyway, I just heard some news that's got me excited enough to stop and post a blog!

I just watched John McCain announce his running mate, Sarah Palin. I have mixed emotions at first glance.
Clearly, she's done amazing things in her short political life. She appears to be a devoted wife and mother of 5 - her oldest son serving in the Army. And, she's truly pro-life. Not just in politics, but in her personal life. She's set a clear example of that. If you watched her speech, you saw her 4 month old baby boy being held by his older sister. His name is Trig - and what she didn't mention about him is that he has Down Syndrome.
She was told early in her pregnancy that he would have Down Syndrome - and in an age when most people abort babies when they receive that news, she chose to hold firm to her pro life beliefs and called him a "blessing."

So, why would I (of all people) have mixed feelings? I have a huge amount of respect for her already and I think she is a phenomenal choice for McCain. But, as a mother of a child with Down Syndrome - and as the mother of a newborn close in age to hers - I cannot begin to imagine how on earth she will be able to maintain her duties to her children, especially a newborn that requires more than "normal."

Now, I know that my thoughts are probably not popular - and in all liklihood there are women that would be downright angry with my thoughts. Many women would indignantly tell me that I'm wrong - that I should be supporting a woman in politics - that I should be encouraging this as a role model to my daughters and what is possible for them.
Don't get me wrong, I will support the McCain/Palin ticket. I will vote for them. I think its wonderful that we live an age when a woman can be a successful VP. I just disagree with her choice to run at this season of her life. I don't begrudge her the opportunity at all. I just believe that her first priority - and certainly a higher calling on her life - should be her children. That baby will require more from her than I think she will be able to provide in the midst of a presidential campaign - and then life as a VP.
Then again, maybe this will get DS a little more attention - and hopefully she'll be one of the parents that believes in self-fulfilling prophecy with her children and will expect more from Trig than what she's been told to expect!
So, bring it on - I'm sure I've excited some of you as well ... go for it and share your thoughts! I'd love to know what other people think about this!