A blog about LIFE...that happens to include Down syndrome!
Like many parents, as I walk through this journey of parenthood, I turn to a few sources when I have questions. Most of the time, the question dictates the source. For instance, if I have a question like, “How do I get my kids to …
Thyroid Ragin’ or Threenager syndrome? It all began early last summer, right as Everett turned 3-years-old. Everett was making huge strides in his preschool class at end of term. He was trying to run & jump, was saying a few words, and was very engaged …
I have a little bit of a crush. Actually, it’s a bit more than just a crush. Back in the summer of 2013, I fell in love. I was head over heels for a little newborn baby named Everett Michael, but as a new mama with a new baby, with a new diagnosis, I was very worried about his future. And then, I fell in love again. But this time I fell in love with a huge group of people – the Kinderfrogs community. At first, I fell in love with the director (in case you didn’t know, Marilyn, lol!). Then I fell in love with the faculty and staff. 
And shortly after that, I fell in love with every kid enrolled at Kinderfrogs and their families. I guess it’s safe to say, by virtue of the introductory language in this blog post, that I have a deep and unyielding love for my child’s preschool and everyone involved in shaping that preschool into what it is today. In fact, this love is so pure that when asked to give a speech about “What Kinderfrogs Means to Me” last spring….I gushed. So, since my second-born began his first day in the Toddler class today (Everett is now in the Pre-K class…he big boy), I feel compelled to profess my unending and undying love for Kinderfrogs in today’s blog post. The following is the speech I delivered last year at the KTPA Fundraiser (2016), where parents, faculty, and staff hosted an annual event that raised monies for Kinderfrogs! A great deal of the money we raised provided instructional resources and scholarships for our kiddos with DS. So, there is a “call to action” at the end of this speech/blog entry. If you are so inclined to give, I’ve included a link at the end. And if you are interested in this year’s fundrasier, the above graphic is our 2017 save-the-date! Continue reading Ode to Kinderfrogs
Introducing — Our First Last-Minute-Mom So I thought it might take a while to round up some content from my fellow mamas….but nope! Today’s post features our first fearless last-minute-mom, Amy Matasso! Amy’s got her hands full these days with three littles, Josh (5), Andrew …
Got a little story for ya Ags! And if you’re not an Ag, I’ve still got a little story for ya. Once upon a time a young 18-year-old named Cara, embarked on one of the greatest adventures of her life – college. Young Cara spent …
Bible class is a big
deal to us, especially for our children. I have the greatest memories of bible class, VBS, youth group activities & church camps, from when I was growing up. I’ve always hoped and prayed that both of my children would build similar memories as they grow in their relationships with God. Early on after “the diagnosis,” I remember being afraid that Everett would struggle to be included in bible class and other church activities. This fear was definitely unwarranted. Each week in bible class Everett is fully included and participative in EVERY church activity. He prays, learns memory verses with his teacher and friends, enjoys the puppet shows, and always walks away with an interactive art project he worked on that reflects a weekly bible story theme. I have no doubt no…no doubt…that he will grow in building relationships with his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as he worships God just like everyone else in our congregation. Especially in building those relationships with his female classmates ?. Continue reading Confessions of a Rockin mom #15: Fear of inclusion in bible class
The (as in “THE”) greatest fear I had for Everett after we learned he had DS, was that no one would accept him for who he was. I worried that anyone he encountered (friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers) would not fully accept him because of …
Read the enclosed link which features a letter authored by my dear friend and fellow Rockin mom. Let me tell you…from my experience (and the experiences of others), many healthcare professionals know very little about Down syndrome beyond the diagnosis. And unfortunately, many of these …
I distinctly remember the medical bills rolling in after Everett was born. Geneticists, hospital bills, specialist co-pays, pediatrician visits, home healthcare, lab tests, you name it. We also decided early on that Everett would attend Kinderfrogs at TCU, no matter what the cost. So obviously, a very early and very real fear of ours involved the cost of raising a child with DS. This is a warranted fear. We have one child with typical chromosomes and one child who is “chromosomally enhanced” and there is no question as to which child needs more medical and therapeutic intervention (which comes with steep price tags…we meet our insurance deductible every year). But Vic and I have always pledged that we will do anything and everything it takes to give Everett whatever he needs to be a successful, independent, meaningful contributor to society. Some days that’s easier said than done though. I love this photo of Vic dropping Everett off at Kinderfrogs. I am so grateful to have an incredible husband who will move mountains for his family. Continue reading Confessions of a Rockin mom #12: Fears of medical costs & Down syndrome
Vic and I waited so long to be parents. All we wanted to do was be mom & dad to a sweet baby and join in on conversations about parenthood. Shortly after E was born, I recall hearing a few healthcare workers refer to him …