World Down Syndrome Day 2011



Today is World Down Syndrome Day and I am taking this day to celebrate my precious Edie-bug and ALL 47 of her chromosomes!  Edie was not born with just 46 chromosomes like most children, she was blessed with 47 (Trisomy 21) and without that 21st chromosome Edie would not be Edie.  I can not imagine our lives being "typical", I would not want it to be honest.  I LOVE being Edie's mom and I L-O-V-E Edie just the way God intended her to be.  Edie is super smart, super cute, super funny, super sweet and such a joy to be around.  She touches everyone she comes in contact with and is a magnet for love.  She is our biggest JOY in life!

Today I would like to raise awareness to those of you who are not familiar with DS.  It is not a disability, it is not a mistake - it is a gift.  Our family is grateful for this gift and we celebrate it everyday!  Our daughter is smart, capable, determined and we know she will thrive and succeed in life just as all of her other friends who are touched with DS will.  My biggest hope/goal for today, World Down Syndrome Day 2011, is that those of you who are reading this will continue to spread the word and participate in stopping the "R" word.  I know that most say it in a "joking" manner with no intentions to hurt others, I did.  But when children hear adults, parents use the word in just a "joking" manor they follow and think it is acceptable when it is not.  I know my reaction to hearing someone around me use it - I cringe, I sometimes speak up and there are other times I just let it go.  I NEVER want to imagine my reaction to someone using the "R" word in Edie's presence or any other child or adult with special needs for that matter.  I PRAY that this word is cut from our vocabulary one day soon.  So I urge you to stop and think before you speak and remember that words can hurt, even when it is a "joke".  Thank you for taking the time to read and have a great WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY!

Edie has something she wants to tell you......

Mercedes Marathon 2011 - all wrapped up

We recently wrapped up our final Mercedes Marathon as a family of The Bell Center. Again, bitter-sweet. I am so proud of what we, our family and our friends have accomplished over these past three years. We made a commitment three years ago to raise money for TBC in honor of Edie and we watched the "Ladybug Fundraiser" grow from less than 100 guest to over 200 and in the process we raised over $40,000 for TBC! Now that is something to be proud of!! We finished this year with a little over $14,000 in donations and although we did not reach our goal I am still so extremely proud and grateful to everyone who helped in making this cause such a success. We could never do it without all of the wonderful family and friends. We are so, so blessed.

This year Team Ladybug consisted of two relay teams and three 1/2 Marathon runners and one of those was "Da-Da". I am proud of everyone, but I am especially proud of Scott. He said he would do it for Edie again this year and he did. I know it is not easy, I am not a runner by any means but Scott's accomplishments are so special to me and I know one day Edie will look back at these photos and she too will be so proud of her "Da-Da". This year (even with jello legs) Scott was determined to take Edie across the finish line with him. He stopped to grab her just as he rounded the corner and both with big smiles on their faces they ran the last few steps to cross the finish line together. Such a special moment in time and I am so glad it was captured for us to cherish. Great Job Team Ladybug!!