Super Heros

Super Heros come in all sizes.

  Some Super Heros go to work.

And some Super Heros save the world.

Some Super Heros ride bikes and wear cowboy boots.

And some like to giggle.

Some Super Heros are tough.

And some are bossy.

Some Super Heros cry.

Some Super Heros like to toss acorns.

 And some need hugs.

 Some Super Heros are partners.

And some work alone.

Some Super Heros are happy all the time!

 And some are Super Moms.

Some Super Heros are sisters.

 Some Super Heros like bag:)

And Some Super Heros Just Happen To Have 47 Chromosomes!

Why us?

There are many times when I sit and think, "Why us"?

Not in the "whoa is me", "throw me a pity party", "how can this be happening to our family", kind of way.

But rather, "How did we get so lucky, to be blessed with such a wonderful daughter"?  "Those other people are missing out!"  And how do we share HER, with them!

 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,"  Jeremiah 29:11

I wonder what God's plan is for our girl and what his plan is for our family.  What blessings are going to come our way because of her?  How can we use Down syndrome to our benefit and share that benefit with other?  What does her future look like?

Don't get me wrong....there are days that are difficult, but there are days when my "typical" children give me a run for my  money too!  And it's true, that she has many more days that look like this:

 And this:

than most kids.  But there are plenty of kiddos out there with 46 chromosomes that spend far more time in hospitals and sick than our girl.  There are plenty of kids with 46 chromosomes that have delays and hearing impairments.  But in the end, that little extra chromosome doesn't mean much.

From the start, we have just loved her as AUBREY.  Because THAT is who she is.  Down syndrome is a label, like her blood type.  It isn't WHO she is.  Do we deny that label?  No, but we don't dwell on it either.  We don't use it as an excuse, or as a crutch.

We expect a lot from our girls and she is no different.  She is four.  She is a big sister and those things come with a lot of expectations and a lot of responsibility.  We treat her "typical" and make adjustments as necessary.

I don't know what her future holds.  I don't know whether she will learn to drive, or go to college or live on her own or get married.  Truth is, I don't know that my other children will do those things either.

What I do know is that her family, her friends, will support her and push her and accept her to be the best Aubrey that she can be.  And in the end, as long as she is happy, that is all that matters.

I want that for all my girls.  I want them to be the best Alice, and Katherine, and Ella, and Emelia, that they can be.  And I want them to be happy.  It doesn't matter where they live or what job they have, as long as they have a passion for life and what they do....I'll be happy:)

Life...

I wonder sometimes, if she knows how much she has to work for things.  I wonder if she realizes how easy things are for others.  Does she notice that Emelia is doing some of the same things as her....but with ease.  I wonder if she knows, but doesn't care.

{she worked so hard to get that chair in the kitchen, over to the fridge and climb up....all to realize, she still wasn't strong enough to open the doors}

She faces more obstacles than most people.  She works harder than most people and she succeeds at what she works for.  But she faces disappointment and frustration.  That's part of life for her.  

But I think that people who face challenges and obstacles and frustrations and a tough road, but overcome them, are better people for it.  What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, right?  

We think you're the best Aubrey and we are so proud of you!

*for the record, yes, she is wearing underwear, no she is not potty trained.  it happened to be a day that I was eager to get it done and just do it....after we went through an entire pack of panties in an hour, and I cleaned up all those puddles....I gave up...*

Therapy: Siblings

I never really believed in all that birth order mumbo jumbo.  I do however feel that each of our children was born to us at just the right time, to fill a certain roll, and to play a certain part in our family.

 Aubrey is #4.  I think that it is a great blessing for her to be #4.  She has 3 big sisters to keep up with all the time.  And whatever they are doing, she is sure to be trying to do it too.  Girl is motivated and determined and I think that THAT is better than any therapy we could pay for...though technically we pay for her older sisters, so I guess we do pay for this wonderful therapy.  (and we payed a lot for the new pool therapy she will be getting next summer:)

 She isn't afraid to try new things and there are rarely tears over trying new things anymore.  I'm so proud of the practice that she does on her own to get better at these task.  She willingly accepts help to be shown how to do something and then with practice...she tackles these challenges.

 And once she has it mastered, LOOK OUT, cause Sister is coming and she won't let anyone stand in her way!

And staying ahead of #5 is hard work too, but she does that too!

A touching story

I'm tired tonight:)  We have had a very busy weekend with Grandma Smith.  But I won't leave you without a post tonight.

We have followed the story of Pudge and Biggs for a long time.  Just recently I came across this story on her blog:  http://pudgeandzippy.blogspot.com/2009/08/ties-that-bind.html

It is a beautiful story about how Courtney and Justin came to be a part of the Down syndrome community, and ultimately lead them to start their family with the adoption of not one but TWO kiddos with Ds.  Head on over and read Courtney's story.

Embracing Diversity

We have 5 girls.  We know about the American Girl Books and Dolls.  We've been to the store in Dallas...many times.  I love that my girls fell in love with the books first and the history that each character contains and the diversity of her life here in America.  

You can by each historical character's doll, you can also create a "Just Like Me" doll that has hair like you and skin like you, etc.  You can even choose glasses and earrings, to make her just like you:)

This year..."American Girl has taken a  courageous step towards diversity with the launch of dolls with hearing aids, as well as dolls without hair, signaling to the disability community that little girls who are differently-abled are important enough to have their own personalized doll experience."

(Read the full article HERE.)

I love how accepting the world has become and that there are companies out there that are embracing our children's diversity and special needs.  It speaks volumes to this mama, and hopefully to the world, about accepting my girl....just the way she is....hearing aids.....extra chromosomes and all.

Wordless Wednesday: Chalk