10 Years Ago...

This week Toby and I will be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary! It is hard to believe in many ways. Such a sweet time in ones life when you embark on marriage and begin a journey...and begin a new family, not knowing what is ahead of you on the road but so glad to be walking it together. I clearly remember an older gentleman whom we met one day on our honeymoon ask us how long we've been married. When I replied with , "2 days", he shouted out to his wife who was a few feet from us..."Sylvia! Sylvia!... they've only been married 2 days!"...and she came over and hugged both of us. I crack up thinking about it...they must have been married at least 40 plus years so to hear 2 days must have made her impulsively reach out and grab us as if to say..."hold on dearies, it's a wild ride!!". It has been a wild ride...sometimes, but so worth it.

Toby and I were married in the church in the pictures, on July 10th, 1999. We took the boys there a few months ago to show them where our story, their story, started. The summer before we were married I had spent some time in England, Paris, and Ireland. The church we were married in reminded me of the many beautiful churches I saw on that trip... so once I saw it I knew that was where I wanted to be married.
So much has happened in the last 10 years and when I look to the next 10, so much life will be experienced for our boys. Luke will be graduating high school and Reid will be starting junior high. I can't imagine that, yet at the same time know that if the next 10 years go as quickly as the first I want to hold on tight and enjoy every season, every peak, every valley, and every moment with my little family that I love so dearly! Happy Anniversary Toby!

The World Needs More Trigs...Not Fewer

I just listened to Sarah Palin explain her reasoning for stepping down from Governor of Alaska. I am confident there are many reasons she has made this decision...but was saddened to hear her explain how her older children have had a hard time dealing with how her littlest son Trig, who has Down syndrome, has been "mocked and ridiculed by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently". Why are people like this?...Just so mean...it just cuts at my heart that people can be so insensitive and ignorant? She then emotionally stated that the world actually needs more Trigs...not fewer. I Whole Heartedly Agree! Are the ones who have a child or family member with Down syndrome the only ones to see this? I guarantee that the ones who are saying the cruel things have never taken the opportunity to sit with or gotten to know someone with an extra chromosome. If they had they would know what we know. My little Reid has helped me view the world differently and given me eyes to see beauty where I did not necessarily recognize it before. He has expanded my heart and made me a better person, truly he has. Reid's pure spirit brings so much joy, he is so happy, and just so darn funny. In fact, right before we watched Sarah's press release Reid was showing off by dancing around the house with a twinkle in his eye because he knew he was being funny... and was thoroughly enjoying making us laugh with his little moves (what a little charmer we have on our hands). Sarah, I agree with you....though not everyone can comprehend this...at least not yet, we do need more Trigs.

Will My Child Have A Friend?

When Reid was born and we learned of his diagnosis a thousand thoughts and fears flooded me...many of which went to his future. A scary place to be when my son was only a few hours old and I really didn't know much of Down syndrome at that point. But, one of the thoughts I had or something I questioned was will he have friends? My heart hurt as I thought of this and wondered.Recently Reid answered the question for me...not that I didn't know the answer much sooner then now as he has been enveloped and loved by so many especially Luke's friends who I can only imagine as big protectors and extra big brothers for him later in life...but recently Reid made a little friend all by himself! About 7 weeks ago Reid started what is considered "center based therapy" in place of some of our home therapy that he was receiving (Mary if you are reading this, we miss you and Infant Stimulation so much!!). Reid loves his little school and loves his little friend Elijah. You can see in the first picture that Reid was not too sure of him at first with his hands behind his back...but he was quick to warm up and these two are now the best little pals...in fact below you can see Reid tickling Elijah and hamming it up (Elijah is quite the ham himself and absolutely adorable!). 

All these pictures are from Reid's first day there. During circle time on the floor he decided he had had enough and decided to pull his socks off only to put them on his hands as puppets that he made talk to all the kids sitting around him. I watched Elijah watch him and sure enough....he pulled his socks off too. 

It was happening...Reid was making friends, a special friend at that. The director has told me several times that these two are like old souls who have found each other. Do you know how that absolutely made my heart sing?! She has even reported that Elijah has become Reid's body guard. Apparently a little girl had pushed Reid down on the playground and Elijah saw from a distance...put his own toy down... and came over to where they were and pushed the little girl down that pushed Reid. 

Recently I had the privilege of meeting Elijah's parents as we kept missing each other at drop off and pick up. I couldn't wait to tell his mom how much both Reid and I have fallen in love with Elijah and how much I love watching these two wave goodbye to me from the window with their arms around each other and faces shmooshed against the window (I have to get a picture of this...it is too cute!) and how Reid planted a big kiss on Elijah's lips one day as we were leaving. Well...in talking with Elijah's mom I came to find out that she has a younger sister who has Down syndrome. Hmnnn...was there something in Reid's little spirit that Elijah sensed that drew them close? She showed me pictures of her sister and she is absolutely beautiful and...how fantastic is this.... she is part of the cheerleading squad for her high school!! Zoey, Presley, Preslie, and Caydence cheerleading just might be in your future too!

Oh, where was that crystal ball when Reid was born that could of shown me glimpses of the future and showed me these pictures and told me of these moments that would of helped ease my heart when he was so tiny? No, no crystal ball to be had....just a journey of discovery with my little guy. What we have both discovered is that Down syndrome is not holding him back in any capacity....his life is full and filled with joy and special little friends. Thanks Elijah!

Happy Fathers Day......."Mr. Incredible"

Happy Fathers Day Toby! July 26, 2001 you became a dad for the first time... a new role that you were absolutely made for...and might I say made me fall in love with you all over again just by watching you love and care for our new little baby and then again when Reid was born 5 years later....a day we will never forget, yet you handled with such absolute love and acceptance! Our boys could not ask for a more loving, patient, involved, fun, and dedicated dad! Luke got it right when he called you "Mr. Incredible"! We love you!!

** Just before school got out Luke was to pick a special person to write about for "Special Persons Day" at school and invite them to class to hear him read his essay...Luke picked his dad, who with all his might feels his dad is nothing short of incredible, I'd have to agree.

Mr. Incredible

   Hi, do you want to know who my special person is? You do? That's great! Well, this person has blue eyes and brown hair. He makes me smile when I'm down in the dumps. This person is always there when I need him. He is my incredible dad, Toby Foreman.

   Bam! The ball goes in the hole. "Nice shot dad. You are an incredible golfer." My dad can do all kinds of things. He is especially good at roasting coffee. Every time my dad comes back from a trip he spoils me with a gift. For example, today he came back from Hawaii and he brought me a shark tooth necklace and a hat. My dad is a smart and caring person. He teaches me stuff like what coagulate means and what the centrifugal force is. He makes me laugh everyday.

   Dad, I am glad that I am your son. I am also glad that you are a part of my family. I love you!

Love,

Luke Foreman

I need to comment on this last picture...it was taken during Luke's "Scooby Doo" Birthday party. We created a real mystery for the kids to solve...the Birthday Bandit was on the loose and had stolen all the birthday presents. The kids followed clues to find the culprit...who was Toby. In this picture he is reciting a script I had given to him the night before...and yes I am not beyond writing out scripts for parties...at least this one, the theme just screamed for one (LOL)! :)

Summer's Here!!!!

It's official....school's out, and SUMMER has begun!