I did it again. I let him go.

I let Nevin go to Camp Courageous for the week. This is his third year. The first year was torture, the second year much easier.

This year...... a little harder. I'm not sure why.

Maybe because it was such a hubbub getting ready this year. At the same time I was packing him, I was getting ready to leave for a long weekend to Indiana with dd (she was in a wedding)............ so I left Friday morning before he was up......... and then wasn't going to be able to see him before dh took him to camp on Sunday. However, we ran a little ahead of schedule so I was able to "show up" and get a couple hugs and drop him off at camp.

Maybe it was because I spent a couple days before I left doing some "crisis management" with dd..... and Nevin didn't get much attention.

Maybe it was because last year, I knew he had an outstanding counselor (from some inside information). And this year, it appeared he had a counselor in her first year and first week. And I lost my "insider info source" this year.

Maybe it was because we dropped him off at the very end of the "window of time" to register campers (because they were waiting for me to get home from Indiana) and so we didn't have any "hanging around" time before we left him.

and maybe it's just because....... like...... "just because"

Can you tell I miss him today? Boy, it's hard letting him grow up!

Wordless Wednesday

the extra measure.........

I am touched when people take extra time with Nevin..... when they give him a little extra compassion, a little extra attention.    When they make him feel valued and important.

Tonight we were planning on going to a band concert.  It was going to happen at a local bar and we had heard that if we got there early and ordered food........ and kept the food on the table....... we'd be able to bring Nevin in and stay through the first set.   He was SO excited...... a "Rock'n Roll" concert. 

But, tonight we found out that rules had changed and NO one under 21 would be admitted.  Nevin was disappointed...... but Jon (the lead singer of Midnight to Twelve) met us outside the bar as they were unloading and gave Nevin some extra special treatment!!   He got to watch them unload their equipment, got a tour of their bus, got an autographed CD, pictures with the band and with Jon.    Definitely a night to remember.    

Jon is the son of a friend of mine (they live in CA)....... but doesn't really "know" Nevin....... yet he was WONDERFUL with him...... actually the whole band was great with him.  It just warms my heart!!

   Be sure and check out Nevin's blog for more pictures.  

Dinosaur Bones in my dining room!

Nevin worked hard digging up dinosaur bones in my dining room. We used the Usborne Dinosaur Kids Kit. It was great, Nevin loved it. It was also very good for eye hand coordination (as you can see in the video). Nevin posted lot's more pictures on his photoblog and also a story he wrote using Pixwriter. He wanted me to post this video, so y'all could see how hard he worked. :)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Blessed by health

As I've joined the world of blogging, I'm enjoying reading blogs written by others.  I have especially enjoyed the stories of other families who've been blessed by something extra (i.e. an extra chromosome, T21, a.k.a. Down syndrome. 

I am reminded of how blessed we were when Nevin was born healthy.   His heart defect was minor and did not require any surgery.  He latched on and nursed as well as my previous two babies (and although he couldn't handle too much flow..... pumping first to avoid "drowning" seemed to solve this problem .... and after several months, he did fine).   His immune system was easily compromised, requiring frequent hospitalizations that first year,  but nothing compared to what some families must deal with.  

Sooo..... we were spared some of the extra "worries" that can sometimes come with "extra chromosomes".    Please join me in praying for families who have to deal with significant health issues related to DS.   I've added links to a few of these families.     Brianna is dealing with leukemia, she is part of our local Down syndrome support group.    Kennedy's daddy is in Afghanistan, she has had multiple health issues including Leukemia and now faces surgery and a halo for severe neck instability.    I'll let you meet Chelsea and Parker via their blogs.   Princess Mya doesn't have Down Syndrome...... but she does have a brain tumor (her grandpa and my dad are cousins).

Thank you for your prayers.