Today was beautiful, even though it was not 85 degrees and even though I was not sitting on the beach it was good.  I fall for the hallmark part of this holiday every year.  I can’t help it.  I dream it out weeks before this special day comes.  I think about where I would like to be and how I would like to celebrate.  I even purchase a couple special things for myself for “Mothers Day” cause I figure I deserve it.  (Just keeping it real)

The day comes and it is never exactly how I expect it to go down and for one very big reason I rarely communicate what I have dreamt over the past weeks.  HA!  I am one of those you should be able to read my mind type ladies.  It always turns out perfect though.  There is not a year I would change because this little hallmark holiday reminds me to stop and smell the flowers.  That I did today and it was good.

We had a regular day.  I drove our Dani home this morning like I do every Sunday except this time we said goodbye for the summer.  She is returning home to Sweden for the summer holiday and we will miss her.  We always miss her when she is gone.

As I drove back drinking my extra large cream and sugared coffee. (I treat myself well!) I started thinking about exactly how I wanted to spend the rest of the morning.  I really couldn’t come up with anything.  My thoughts wondered to the Mamas missing their babies today and at that moment the sunshine felt like a hug sent from above.  I was thankful those angels were looking out for their Mamas today and in return the rest of us got to enjoy a beautiful clear afternoon.

We spent the day together.  It was ordinary.  We played in the front yard and we played in the back yard.  We built a fire and roasted hotdogs.  It felt like October and not May but I would not change a second of it.

I am thankful for these silly little holidays and slow my mind down and remind me that what is important is right in front of me.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mamas who were given beautiful bundles of joy however they received them!  Happy Mothers Day to all the women who make it their job to Mother others by lending a hand, providing support and caring.

OXOXO

Today we ran errands and saved the best for last.  Today we had to pick up her new glasses.

 We picked blue because it is the color of her eyes.

I had a pit in my stomach.  I am not going to lie.  Covering those baby blues was not something that was top on my list.

She is beautiful and I realized her glasses just give her a little flavor.  They will take sometime for us to get used to but we are getting there.

I wear glasses for goodness sake.  Not sure why I have such an issue with her having to wear them too, but I do.  It is my issue and I will get over it.  Colin is totally ok with the change!

And she still has an amazing way of blowing love through her magical kisses.

We tried them out all afternoon and she pulled them off her head most of the day so we will see how tomorrow goes.

We tried on a sweet little outfit made by one of our followers.  The shirt says “Rockin My Extra Chromosome” and that she does!  This cute little dress is made right here in Chicago, IL by Craft Beever Boutique!  Check her out for all your dress-up needs.  She has really cute designs.

Happy weekend everyone!  We are seeing clearly today and the glass is half full.

OXOXO

I am a believer that people want to be around positive people.  I strive to be that most of the time.  I find myself the “everything is fine” type of person. You know those kind?  The ones that say, everything is fine! I am fine!  Kids are fine!  Life is fine fine fine and most of the time great!  Yep I am one of those, and most of the time that is the truth.  I wonder through my day feeling fine, trying to light my creative fires along with keeping up with my 6 children.

I spend most days happy.  I try not to spend too much time thinking about all the obstacles my children have to over come.  I instead live in my own little world that sensory issues will be over come, food allergies are a fact of life and Down Syndrome is no big deal.  In my world no one notices these characteristics about my children.  They are just kids moving through life like everyone else.

Sometimes I get so caught up in my own world that when someone does make a comment about my children I am blindsided.  I often have to get my breath back and I am reminded that even though I live in this world it is just not realistic.  It is not the real world and the worry begins.  We all have worries and they are real worries about our kids.  Will they have friends?  Will they graduate and get into college?  Will they get a job and be able to live on their own?  I desperately want this for all my children and in my world all these things will happen.  I choose to believe in every single one of them.

I sometimes wonder what it takes to really foster true integration, you know acceptance for everyone.  What does it take?  I am a mom who happens to have children with different disabilities so I am entrenched in the day to day advocacy of so many different types of advocacy groups.  The groups, foundations and associations are all cheering from the sidelines.  They are all spreading awareness and begging for acceptance for their members.  Are people hearing them?  Are people listening?  I am interested in knowing, because I read story after story of people not listening.  People not integrating and others just plain not accepting.

I know a beautiful young girl who walks with a walker.  She gets around beautifully and she maintains an extremely positive and hip attitude about life.  As she is standing in line for her communion practice she and her Mom have to listen to a 2nd grader say numerous times how unlucky she is because she can’t walk as well as he does.  I know another sweet 1 year old girl who has endured more surgeries in her life time then I have in 30 years.  Her Mama stands on edge at the park because of situations where children have been less then accepting toward her and her precious girl.

Today I visited a Mama, a Mama I have tons of respect for.  You know the type, super smart and on top of things.  She is a go getter in my eyes.  She went to interview a preschool for her 3 year old daughter with not only her daughter in mind but her son as well. He happens to have an extra chromosome.  As she inquired about whether this preschool would take children with Down Syndrome the director responded with a scrunched up face.  She explained how they prefer not to because they (Down Syndrome children) are so low functioning.  Then she proceeded to tell her how they had one 4 years ago but don’t plan on taking those type of children in the future.  This Mama sat there listening as she was fighting back tears.

All on the day after I read this beautiful blog post from another smart Mama.

I tell you these stories because I don’t get it, I don’t understand.  These stories come from people I know personally.  I could write pages about stories from families I know virtually.  I really feel like the media could change perceptions and that is why “Changing the Face of Beauty” is so very important to me, but I wonder.  What makes the impact.  What teaches men, women, children, families and organizations that are not familiar with individuals with disabilities.  How can we get them to hear our message?  I feel like we are all teaching each other and the funny thing is we already know.  Is anyone else listening?

So tonight I am mad, angry and I want answers.  I do not have tolerance anymore for people thinking they are better, more worthy of successes.

So I am asking what do YOU think makes an impact?  What steps do we need to make to encourage acceptance in the “real world”?  How do we teach parents to preach acceptance and live it out.  How do we explain to companies that we are people too.  We buy their products and the disability community matters.  I wanna know because I am at a loss.  I just don’t get it.  My children changed perceptions for me and I know that not everyone is lucky enough to have that opportunity.  We want to advocate well and we all want change.  How do we make it happen?

So tonight I am glad it is Thursday.  It is my favorite day of the week by the way.  It is my favorite because tomorrow is Friday and Fridays just rock in my book.  They are the day we mentally prepare for the weekend.  We get an extra splash of cream in our coffee and we wake up smiling because we know the weekend is near.  I haven’t been myself these last couple of weeks and I am still trying to get my mojo back but today I am thankful for perfect little birthdays with calls from friends and family, virtual wishes and cake with my little (well big) family.

I am so thankful for friends who stand in and educate little minds and hearts about that extra chromosome and all the goodness it brings to our life when this Mama is just not yet strong enough to do it. AND for brothers who love their sister so much they convince 28 kids to donate to a charity that will help their sister and her friends  (Gigis Playhouse).  Swelling with pride.

I am thankful for all the beautiful sibling pictures flying around celebrating the unique relationships siblings have.

I am so thankful for after nap hugs from big brothers and before bed activities that incorporate my oldest and my youngest children.

I am thankful for blog sponsors who develop awesome tools that give other Mamas the opportunity to feed their children balanced meals!  This plate is the coolest.  It not only provides a reminder of how to feed our children well but to encourage the child to climb the tower to the treat!  Love that!

Grace had a great time talking about the triangle and the colors on the plate.  It made the meal educational and we all love that!  You can check the GROUPIE plate out on Amazon!

I may not be on my A game but everything around me is.  I think that is how life keeps pushing on.  When one is up and the other is down we all kind of balance each other out.

Today I have another sweet baby girl who desperately needs a forever family.  She deserves a forever family.  We have done such a fantastic job sharing these babies in the past that The Cradle has once again asked us to help.  Please take a moment and read about this sweet girl Alexis and share her story.  Give her the chance that we were given.  The chance to be loved and to give love.

MEET ALEXIS

Be the one…aren’t those 3 words so powerful.  You could look at them so many different ways.  Be the one who wins the game, or the one who is a good sport.  You could also say, be the one who gets straight A’s or be the one who pays attention and does the best they can.

Be the one!  It is something to live out.  How about be the one to count on or be the one who extends a hand or a friendship.  It is funny this parenting journey.  So many  days we are rock solid and others we are trembling in our boots.  What is that?  Why so much hot and cold?  I have felt the latter lately.  Not sure where it is coming from my a sense of sadness and as I told my girlfriend today no reason to be.  Tonight I opened up a very special gift.  A beautiful song written by a family who advocates for our children through their music.  They released their newest song today and it struck a cord with me and it made me cry.

As Grace gets older she is more out going.  She is coming out of her shell and she has no enemies.  She loves people and the more people the better.  It makes my heart smile to see her so happy but underneath that smile there is a whole lotta fear.  I hold my breath that all goes well, that no one limits her because of her extra chromosome.  That they give her a chance and treat her like a 3 year old should be treated.  I cross my fingers that she acts appropriately and goes along with the what  the other children are doing at the moment.

She more often then not exceeds my expectations.  She passes with flying colors and I realize these are my issues and not hers.  I need to trust and BELIEVE that she will be just fine.  It is hard….this video and the words to this song communicate it perfectly.  Our children are so worthy of all friendships.  They are capable and they are a good time and I need to step back and let her dance because she has her own beat and it is rockin’ if I do say so myself.

I am loving all the exploration.  This is the first summer she will walk through the grass and stand at the fence waiting for it to be opened so that she can be right along side her brothers.  She is a big girl now and she is amazing!

Thank you to the Wright Family for being amazing!  You can follow them on thier Facebook page “It Starts With A Voice”.

“Be The One” {Music Video} from Life Stage Films on Vimeo.

Today was a big day for 5 boys + 1 girl = 6 Photography.  I launched my new website.  If you have a moment check it out and let me know what you think!  I am pretty excited about the fact that it really communicated who I am.  I hope you love it as much as I do.

Happy Monday everyone!