First snow of the Season

Oliver loved it!

Oliver loved it!

Trigger.............not so much.

Elijah had so much fun!

Look out Mom!

Call it what you will, he said it was a snowman. Ha!

It just kept coming down!

And, where was everyone else? 

In the house, where it was warm and dry. :)

29 years ago.............

I gave birth to my first born child. Had I known back then, how much he would change my life....it would have been mind blowing, to say the least. It still is now, when I think of how my life began to evolve after been given this precious gift. Not only did I have a child, I had a child with Down syndrome. What could have been seen as a tragedy, has transformed my then, self-centered world, into a beautiful, inspiring and rewarding life, full of surprises at every turn. 
I could go on and on and talk all about the extraordinary people that have been, and are in my life because of Jimmy. The experiences we have had, the laughs, the hugs, and the amazing times.  There have also been times, of tears and frustration, but everyone has these. I'm pretty confident that I have had a lot less of those times, then most. My boys are so rewarding and can bring me to tears just thinking of how much I love them. Because of Jimmy, we have Caleb, Liam and Elijah . Really, if people on the outside ever think , that this is difficult for me, what would be the rationale? Because it's not hard, it's not even close. It's an amazingly beautiful life, that I am sure I don't deserve. I have often through the years, asked God, what did I ever do to be chosen, to be Jimmy's mom. I certainly wasn't living my life for anyone but me, at the time. I was a good person, but I was all about wanting the big house, perfect family, success, beauty........ not thinking about the less fortunate, and never the disabled. They weren't even on my radar. I had no idea that there were so many blessings that came along with loving and being loved, by a person with a disability. And I  know, that I never would have become a special education teacher, if it had not been for Jimmy. Now, I couldn't imagine becoming anything less. All of this, I owe to God and and because of Jimmy being my son. 
So celebrating Jimmy's birthday is so much more than just his birthday. It's his life AND the life he has given me, and ultimately the life he has given Caleb, Liam and Elijah. Lord knows, they would not be in our family without, Jimmy. And I hate to even think of what a tragedy that would be for both them and me. My life could have really been different, if it had not been for Jimmy. I can't even imagine how it would pale in comparison to what I have now. So 29 years ago, I was given a reason to celebrate, not only on every November 9th, but every day of the year.

My life, my love, my hero, my joy! 

Happy Birthday Jimmy, 

I love you. 

We all do!

Halloween

Yes, I know, it's not Halloween yet. But, I am posting the pics I took when we tried on their costumes, since they turned out so cute. And to be honest, I can't wait for Halloween to be over. There, I said it. I'm a Christmas kind of gal. ;)

Caleb wanted to be a dentist. Reminds me of Hermie from Rudolph, remember? What do you mean you don't want to be an elf? Well, what DO you want to be? A dentist. A what????? 

Alright, I'll stop.

Well, of course he's Olaf. We love Olaf! Okay, I love Olaf. :)

Honestly, he really does like being a snowman for Halloween. ;)

Is it Christmas, yet?

Fall is Here

These two trees are absolutely beautiful, in Autumn.

Elijah is so cute. He went outside with his slippers, to rake leaves. :)

Kolya, looking all handsome. He is such a sweet boy. :)

This face............. :)

Elijah and Oliver

I have a teenager in the house!

I don't know where the time has gone. I brought Caleb home at 2 1/2 years old and he is now a teenager. Time goes by too quickly. One thing for sure though, I love this kid more every day, and thank God, that he calls me Mama. :)

Got his own "Garf" CD

Still all about Peppa Pig. :)

A big birthday hug from Elijah

Birthday dinner was pizza. Elijah and his cheese!

He finally got his POP THE PIG!

And someone is now old enough, to ride in the front seat! He was so excited!

Celebrating Ds, and the unexpected blessings that came along with it.

The Buddy Walk and a beautiful day made way for reflection, on just how amazing this extra chromosome, has impacted my life. 

Liam, taking it all in. This precious boy, who would have been left in a bed on a day like today, was out with his family celebrating, what initially put him in an institution in the first place. Down syndrome. He was placed there, because of it, and ultimately adopted, as a result of it. What began as a tragedy, became something miraculous.

This sweet, little funny face, amazes me every day, with his love for life and learning. And, all of that would have been hidden away, never to be let out, never to be experienced, if his adoption didn't happen. I often wonder if his birth mother only knew, what he would accomplish and how amazing he is.....would she have walked away from him?

And Caleb, so happy and social. Think of all the friendships that never would have been, if his adoption would not have happened. And, who would thank the principal for the fire drills, if it weren't for Caleb? Down syndrome.... once confined him inside four walls, and then Down syndrome, also set him free.

Three brothers, born to three different mothers, in three different regions of Russia, were brought together because of one extra chromosome.

And then, there's Jimmy, who taught me, what completely over the top love, feels like. Who, when he was almost grown, made my heart yearn for more, of that extra special love. He grew my heart enough, for each one of the Smurfs, to have their own special spot in it. I owe it all to my God, and the gift he gave me, when he placed Jimmy in my arms, almost 29 years ago. 

So we celebrated Down syndrome at this Buddy Walk, but we also celebrated, so much more.