Down Syndrome Awareness 31 for 21 October 31, 2011

Lately, I have been consciously working on not feeling guilty.

I am a working mom, with four children, I have to repeat that to myself at times. (All moms are working, I also work outside the home).

I had planned to post everyday for Down syndrome awareness month. That was my plan. I was excited about it. I thought committing to the challenge would force me to post everyday.

REALITY: By the end of the day, I have to prioritize what gets done and posting on my blog did not make the list. One day turned into two, then three. Then, I just avoided it altogether and hoped no one would notice. (I got a few emails asking where I was) :).

I don't feel guilty. A little disappointed, but not guilty. I wanted to participate in the 31 for 21 campaign to advocate for Kamryn and other children and adults with Down syndrome. But I do advocate, everyday-I had to repeat that to myself several times this month.

Enjoying, laughing. loving and living our life is clearly the strongest form of advocacy. And we do a lot of that! It has been a month full of smiles, joy, celebrations and just life...

Birthday...I am wiser. This was several celebrations. :)

Trip to the Pumpkin Patch.

Our Halloween party.

Soccer.
SIDE NOTE: My girls are defiantly growing up and it is obvious by the names of their teams: Brynn-The Purple Cup Cakes. She was not happy with this name, she preferred the Purple Tigers.
Naomi-Orange Tigers
Jaden-The Dominators

Swimming. (October has been hot!)

Bike ridding.

Enjoying life.


The dinosaur wanted to be Luigi tonight!









To scared to stand with the group.
There was a wolf in the pack.


Pumpkin Patch















Soccer Saturdays










Hot days in the fall





Her hair is soooo long!









This girl has her own style. And I LOVE
that about her.




On our way to the park.





On the way to school.





Show and tell something purple.


The days are full...it's happy chaos around here.

Down Syndrome Awareness 31 for 21

Typical

That is a word I have heard, read, used, heard, read, used...more than I ever thought I would. It seems to be the politically correct way to compare children with special needs to other children.

"Compared to typical children, Kamryn is..."

"Typically you would expect a child to..."

"It's not typical to..."

I am not sure I like the word. I understand why it is used to compare development. However, I question what we as a society consider typical. Before I had Kamryn, I may have not questioned typical. But, things are different for me now. I see things from a different perspective and I feel different too.

I personally don't think I want to be considered typical. It seems so, boring :). I would rather be considered unique, special, diverse or eclectic.

In my own children, I am able to see (more clearly than I ever did before) their unique personalities, likes, dislikes, skills and challenges. They are individually amazing, beautiful and different.

Speaking of typical, this is what we do after school...homework, is that typical? :)






This is not typical: All of my children sitting still at the same time,
TOGETHER, watching something they all agreed on!!!


Life is not typical, we each have our own to live. Embrace it, enjoy it, celebrate it!
Down syndrome awareness, pass it on.