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May 30, 2008

Dancing!

Nevin would LOVE a group like this. Sure wish there was one within driving distance. If I knew anything about dance I would start one. Hmmm......... I think I'll start praying about this. I bet I'd have a couple volunteer teachers (a.k.a. Hannah and Nolan... ex-show choir kids)

"Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another." -anonymous

May 23, 2008

My new favorite blog

Thank you Leah for sharing the link to your new hero. It has become my new favorite blog to read/view. I was just sharing that with Amy and it made me think I should share the wealth. Daniel Drinker and his brother Will are making a documentary about his life. It's been wonderful to view all the video clips. While I have a huge list of fellow bloggers who share in the blessing of living with someone with Down Syndrome....... most of them are families with children younger than Nevin. Dan is a little older than Nevin and it's been a delight to watch all of his videos and his interaction with his friends/family. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, too. And if I get permission, maybe I'll include a video from his site sometime........ until then, you'll just have to go to Dan's Blog to experience it.

May 14, 2008

May 11, 2008

Mother's Day


I AM THE CHILD

My friend Teresa posted this on her blog. I just had to pass it on. I love it.


I AM THE CHILD

I am the child who cannot talk. You often pity me, I see it in your eyes. You wonder how much I am aware of -- I see that as well. I am aware of much -- whether you are happy or sad or fearful, patient or impatient, full of love and desire, or if you are just doing your duty by me. I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater, for I cannot express myself or my needs as you do.
You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times. I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated. I do not give you answers to your everyday questions, responses over my well-being, sharing my needs, or comments about the world about me. I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards -- great strides in development that you can credit yourself; I do not give you understanding as you know it.

What I give you is so much more valuable -- I give you instead opportunities. Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine; the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities; the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible. I drive you further than you would ever go on your own, working harder, seeking answers to your many questions with no answers. I am the child who cannot talk.

I am the child who cannot walk. The world seems to pass me by. You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair, to run and play like other children. There is much you take for granted. I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, oh I've dropped my fork again. I am dependant on you in these ways. My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune, your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself. Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them. I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright, to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent. I give you awareness. I am the child who cannot walk.

I am the child who is mentally impaired. I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the world's measuring stick, what I do know is infinite joy in simple things. I am not burdened as you are with the strifes and conflicts of a more complicated life. My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child, to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love. I give you the gift of simplicity. I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I am the disabled child. I am your teacher. If you allow me, I will teach you what is really important in life. I will give you and teach you unconditional love. I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you. I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted. I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams. I teach you giving. Most of all I teach you hope and faith. I am the disabled child.

Author Unknown

May 9, 2008

Swappie Blog Theme Day/ Charm bracelet

The Swap is a place online that I call home. It is a wonderful group of christian homeschoolers whom I call friends.

Anyways..... I could go on and on, but I better save that for a later post, because today Amy, suggested we have a Swappie theme blogging day........ and today the theme is Charm bracelet. But I have to hurry, because there is only 40 minutes left of today.

So here you go!!

I actually can't believe I found my jewelry box. I don't remember when I got it, but I think maybe I was in junior high.


I also don't remember when I got my charm bracelet, but I know that there is a bear charm from Yellowstone park, a whale from SeaWorld in CA and Tinkerbell from Disneyland. These were all from a vacation that we took when I was in 2nd grade. Then there are several from my trip to France, which was when I was a senior in high school...... including an Eiffel Tower!! Quite a gap between those two vacations, huh? There is also a Huck Finn charm from St. Louis, MO that I got when I was there playing (my accordian) in a music contest.

Be sure and check out the other Swappie Charm bracelets

May 7, 2008

Sportsmanship

This is so inspiring. I just had to share.