I thought a lot about how I wanted to start my Blog 31 for 21 Challenge. I have a list, you know. Of course I do.
Instead of my awesome blog start, I got work, work, double work, paperwork, pick up kids, migraine starts, football game, potty break in locker room, drive through dinner, beer. Pajamas, prayers, teeth brushed, stories read, lights out, Extra Strength Tylenol, crash on couch, Peppermint Patty.
I think it lends itself well to one of my first lessons after Tessa’s birth: life isn’t going to stop just because of this diagnosis. Sure, we cram in a few therapy sessions, sometimes we get sidetracked by an illness or a doctor’s visit, and Lord knows, we are on a different pace than we may have planned, but the world has not stopped turning because of Down syndrome.
We take the kids to restaurants and ice cream parlors. We throw them into the car for road trips and family functions. We still work, they go to daycare. We have our parties and bonfires and go out on dates without them so that we can complain about how crazy they make us and how much we miss them when they aren’t around. They have sleepovers at Mimi’s house and we go to church when we can and all of the things that have always happened still happen.
Life doesn’t have to stop when Down syndrome enters. It may adjust, but it still marches on and we can make of it whatever we choose.
Yo soy La Lay 
Can’t wait to read your upcoming posts! I wish I had your ambition. 🙂
Don’t give me too much credit yet, it has only been one day. 😉
I know you’ve prayed for Willow in the past. She needs prayer… so I’m looking for it in all corners. We’re currently in the hospital waiting to have a bone marrow biopsy. The doctors suspect Willow has leukemia. I hope to update my blog sometime soon, but am kinda at a loss for words. My blessings to Tessa and your family. Your blog is a welcome distraction on this scary morning.
😦 😦 😦 Lots of prayers coming from our family!!! Please keep me posted. My email is mrsmaggielay@gmail.com.
Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, check out http://deartessa.com/. It’s another mom’s blog, also about her daughter Tessa (with Ds), and Tessa just went into remission after battling leukemia.
Thanks, Maggie! I just got a chance to post a blog update. Man, what a journey. Thank you so much for your support!
I’m looking forward to seeing more posts from you in my reader this month. I love reading about your family. It’s weird how much you can feel you know people without meeting them!
That is so true!! My husband always laughs about my “online” friends, but it has been such a great support to read and hear from people all over the world.