5 Reasons I Smile

The ultimate goal of this blog is to spread awareness and show how beautiful life can be. We have four amazing daughters. Our youngest was born with Down syndrome. If just one person stops here and leaves with a different, better perspective about Down syndrome, then it is worth it. Regardless, I have 5 Reasons to Smile!



Saturday, May 8, 2010

Why does a week feel like a month?

I wasn't sure about blogging, in fact, it is still something I am uncomfortable with. I do like that it may force me to document experiences in our life that we may have forgotten. The little things we may not remember, but really mean the most. Most important, each time I get nervous at the key board, I remind myself that my sharing is a way for me to advocate for my girl. To share our beautiful life.


It has only been a week & 2 days since I posted last, why does it feel like a month? A few things I want to share, because trust me there is more, but I don't have the time to share it all! :)


On Friday, April 30th, I went on a field trip with Naomi and her class to our local fire station. WE LOVE FIRE FIGHTERS! Her favorite part, the bus ride! That just made me laugh!










Now, this next part should be a post on its own, but it's not going to be. Right after Kamryn was born, Diondray told me that he wanted to train and complete an Olympic triathlon. I had just had Kamryn, our 4th daughter, who happened to be born with Down syndrome. I happened to be devastated. However, we have always supported one another and this was something he wanted to do.

He trained very late at night and very early in the morning (so it wouldn't interfere with the girls or me). In May of 09 he completed an Olympic triathlon which is a .93 mile swim, 40k bike ride and 10k run. The triathlon he did, known as the Wildflower, is one of the hardest. It is located in the middle of no where and you must camp the night before the race. Which means you don't sleep well, also the course is very difficult. He did it, the girls, my mom and I were there, it was amazing to see! Although you don't see much, it's not really a spectator sport. We saw him enter the lake, come out of the lake and about 3 hours later he crossed the finish line. What I loved was that the girls were able to "see" the process, like a metaphor....their dad had a goal, he worked/trained hard and he accomplished his goal. They kept asking him what place he came in and if he won and I would smile and say daddy won because he finished and that was his goal. Of course they didn't get that, but someday they will.

Now, he is hooked and this year just him and I drove up (May 1, 2010), pitched a tent and he raced the next day.


This is the "transition" area, where you go from swim, to bike, to run. There were approximately 35,000 people there! WHO KNEW, this was such a sport?!


He finished! His time was 20 minutes better than last year! (His time was 3 hours and 20 minutes) Did I mention I am married to a TRIATHLETE?!



Today, May 8, 2010, the girls and I went to our school music and art day. It was a warm, beautiful day......Brynn had her face painted.




We played, had lunch and listed to a drum line, jazz band and rock band. It was great! My four girls, I think this picture is so cute! :)



Life is so beautiful! (Sorry, I never get tired of saying that)! It really is!

11 comments:

  1. I love it Andrea! Hector is a triathlete too! We should have our men train for the same one and we can hook up and support them together. We've done Wildflower a BUNCH!!! I went to Cal Poly so I used to be a volunteer for that race as well. I know it VERY well! So fun to see!!! Does D have any aspirations to do an Ironman? If so, Hector would love to coach him through it!!!
    Love all the photos...as usual your kids are LOVELY!

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  2. A triathlon???? I'm just trying to get to the point where I can run a 5K. :) Kudos to you & your hubby.

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  3. Unreal! Go Diondray! He's my hero, too! I love your beautiful life, Andrea, and I hope you keep posting. Some of us live for it! I feel the same - life is so darn beautiful. I love it! And I have to admit that I love it more now that I know Down syndrome. That extra chromosome is amazing. I see the miracle in Mylie, in Hannah, in Kamryn and in so many others. And I think what makes it so sweet is that is doesn't mean a thing to us. It's simply a little reminder of how blessed and lucky we are!

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  4. Great post!! I do have to say that our family LOVES Fire fighters too! Zach was just named Fire Fighter of the year (2009) for the city he works for!! Yahh!!

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  5. Great photos. Funny that she loved the bus ride the best. Of course, the daughter of firefighter would say that :-) Congrats to Diondray! That's quite an accomplishment! Hope you had a great Mother's Day!

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  6. Way to go, Hubby!! That is so awesome!

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  7. Love it! Way to go triathlete! :)

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  8. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, Andrea.....so glad that you did:) What a beautiful family you have......your girls are gorgeous!! Congrats to Diondray......what an amazing accomplishment!! Looking forward to sharing this journey with you and your family!

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  9. I wish I had known that you all would be there! We were going to camp out at Wildflower, but changed our minds at the last minute. Because, well, you know, the camping...that's not really my thing. I should stop being so whiny, huh? ;-)

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  10. that is awesome you were able to go with him this year! is he thinking of doing an ironman? it sounds like he has the "bug" to do more races!!! my sister is training to do her first ironman this august in wisconsin (i think it is in august)... 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run... i think a 1/2 marathon is about as far as i am ever planning to run :)love the cute pics of the girls!!!

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  11. Your family is beautiful!!!! I am so glad you started blogging!! I owe you an email....I'm heading there right now! ;)

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