As I sit
here and write this post, I reflect back on almost a year ago when our
beautiful baby boy came into this world. It's taken me awhile to grasp, but I have finally arrived at the
grown-up place where I have realized there a lot of things in life that are not comfortable or as ideal as we
would like them to be but they could be so much worse. I have also learned, a life without
obstacles and challenges does nothing to change us, mold us, and make us into
better, stronger more beautiful versions of ourselves...
I have been reminded often this past year of just how wonderfully blessed we are and the older I get, the more I embrace change as opportunity to learn what I am capable of. I am capable of so much....and I am excited at the opportunity of new challenges, more love and new chapters in our life.
I have been reminded often this past year of just how wonderfully blessed we are and the older I get, the more I embrace change as opportunity to learn what I am capable of. I am capable of so much....and I am excited at the opportunity of new challenges, more love and new chapters in our life.
This last year has been a snow ball of emotions, unanswered questions and uncertainty. However I am now in a place of realizing this is a part of life and my own personal growth as a woman, wife and mother. I want to experience every day, with a sense of calm and purpose, knowing that whatever life brings, is all part of the journey. While life had been moving along so perfectly for us, now there are days in the quiet moments, where I'm deep in thought, or when lying awake at night and just try to take it in and make sense of it all.
As we walk through the journey of life things happen and at times we know why, other times we don’t or may never know. Life has unexpected paths for everyone. That’s what life is about, we don't know what will happen today, tomorrow or 10 years from now but if we see the beauty in the unexpected we will realize it is all part of the journey...
“Seek love and Strength no matter
what life brings you and God will always provide"
When Dylan was born I was devastated and so sad that my son was not “normal” I
was sad he would not look like Greg and I, and though he will have some of our features
it will not be the way I expected or dreamed. The paths that Greg and I have
gone down through our lives have brought us to this moment in time. I know
we will have many more ups and downs but Dylan's birth has made us realize our
purpose in life. God brought Greg and I together, let us fall deeply in love and
blessed us with this beautiful baby boy. He knew we would be the most amazing
parents possible to love and care for Dylan!
Dear Dylan…
You have stolen our hearts with your blue eyes
and your soul that melts us like lava flowing from a mountain. Thank you for
changing us, for opening our hearts to learn more about the world and the
beauty that's out there. Thank you
for teaching us to love--truly love--not only you but every blessed thing we
have been given. Thank you for
challenging us--to accept fears and hardships and to use them to make us
better. Thank you for letting
us kiss you every waking second as we rock you to sleep. Thank you for letting
your Dad and I be your parents and love you with all our heart.
We know there will be challenges, but we also
know you'll always be by our side and hold our hand every step of the way and
that in itself makes any pain seem to fade. Thank you for setting us
straight. Thank you for strangling out the unimportant, the silly things in
life that so often distract us from what really matters. You are an angel from
above. Your soul reflects every inch of your body!
Happy
Birthday Beautiful Baby Boy!
Dylan is amazing and has Down syndrome, but
that doesn't change
how we love him, treat him, or our dreams and expectations are for him. In
fact, you may be surprised to know that our dreams and expectations for Dylan
are the same as any parent would have for their children. Were
all of those tears worthwhile, or was I just scared of the unknown…Did I have
the same preconceived notion of what Down syndrome is others might have? Certainly I was concerned Dylan would not be normal…I was so wrong, Dylan is truly a joy…he is our world. This is what I want people to know today!
Let’s Celebrate…
This Month we celebrate our son's first birthday. We celebrate
the joy, the happiness and the amazing gift we have been given!
The National Down Syndrome Society has been dedicated to making
a remarkable difference for people with Down syndrome since 1979. NDSS is the
national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down
syndrome. NDSS envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have
the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life
aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities.
Our hope is to raise 3,000 dollars for the NDSS foundation in honor of Dylan’s first birthday. We want to support and give back as much as we can to help our son and many others have a brighter future.
We continue to learn more. And we are dedicated to sharing what we’ve learned and moving forward with our goal to change stereotypes, raise awareness, and multiply the number of opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to lead a fulfilling life.
Please join us by spreading the word and making a donation to NDSS in honor of Dylan’s 1st birthday. Every bit adds up--$5, $10. Thanks to you the small gifts of thoughtfulness make a powerful difference.
Your tax-deductible donation will benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. Our family sincerely thanks you. We will continue our efforts to give back!
Our hope is to raise 3,000 dollars for the NDSS foundation in honor of Dylan’s first birthday. We want to support and give back as much as we can to help our son and many others have a brighter future.
We continue to learn more. And we are dedicated to sharing what we’ve learned and moving forward with our goal to change stereotypes, raise awareness, and multiply the number of opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to lead a fulfilling life.
Please join us by spreading the word and making a donation to NDSS in honor of Dylan’s 1st birthday. Every bit adds up--$5, $10. Thanks to you the small gifts of thoughtfulness make a powerful difference.
Your tax-deductible donation will benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. Our family sincerely thanks you. We will continue our efforts to give back!
