Monday, November 24, 2008

Thankful

It dawned on me today that I really haven't posted anything except for the day to day stuff. Hmmm what could I write about??? Well, with Thanksgiving coming up this week I could try to do a little series of posts on what I am thankful for in my life.

I have received two emails this past week from readers of my blog, one from a mother that is 21 weeks pregnant with a little girl that has Down syndrome, and one from the mother of an ADORABLE 5 month old girl with Ds (HI LADIES!!!) Both wrote to say that reading about Ella has really helped them.

When I get these kinds of emails I am always reminded of how I felt those first few weeks/months. I felt so alone, so sad, so angry, so hopeless, so scared, scared of the unknown what Ella's life would be like, what my life as her mother would be like. Never did I imagine that my life would be so full, so happy, and so "normal."

I think of all of the things that have happened, all of the people I have met, the places I have been, and the place I now live and how none of this would have happened had Ella not had Down syndrome.
So, today (and most everyday : ) I am thankful for Down syndrome. I realize that this may seem strange to some, some may think I am lying, but it's true. Down syndrome helped form who Ella is, don't get me wrong Ella is NOT Down syndrome, but it is a part of her and without it she would be a different person. I used to try to imagine Ella without Down syndrome, the little girl of my dreams, but I was never able to picture what she would look like, how she would act, how she would sound, how she would move. Why? Because that's not Ella, it is simply some other little girl, some other girl that does not belong to me. This is how it's supposed to be, I am supposed to be the mother of Ella. And I am so very thankful for that.

Today the kiddos and I went to a little birthday celebration at McDonalds for a couple of kids from Ella's school that also have that extra magical chromosome : ) Here are the pics..




























































































9 comments:

Brandy said...

What a group of the little cuties!

Mary said...

As always so stinkin cute. Wish I could have been there... well not really but I always love to hang out with you and the kiddos. :-)

I'm also thankful for Ella having Ds. Otherwise you guys would still be stuck in Texas and I'd would be one friend short.

Anonymous said...

Looks like the party was lots of fun! Love that pic of the staticky hair--cute! I love her smile. I still say she smiles with her whole self especially with her eyes! Love ya's--Aunt Tami and family.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I know you don't "know" me but I found your blog from Renee's myspecialks.com blog. I met Renee a long time back from our carepages for Kennedy and my daughter Mara. We got to meet in person when they came to Cincinnati for a doctor's appointment....Renee and her family are so sweet and so special!

Anyway, I was looking through her blogroll and came across your sweet Ella Grace....I have been lurking your blog for some time now (because I can't get enough of your kids) :). I haven't written until now...... I loved your post today about being thankful for Ella.... My daughter Mara also has Ds, and I couldn't be more proud of her!

I just wanted to say thank you for your posts. I wanted to let you know that your kids are beautiful, and wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! We have sooo much to be thankful for!

I am not sure if you have a carepage or not, but if you want to check out Mara (so you don't think I am crazy...lol). Here is a link.....http://www.carepages.com/carepages/Maraangel.

My name is Sarah said...

What cute friends you have.

rylie's mom said...

So, today (and most everyday : ) I am thankful for Down syndrome. I realize that this may seem strange to some, some may think I am lying, but it's true. Down syndrome helped form who Ella is, don't get me wrong Ella is NOT Down syndrome, but it is a part of her and without it she would be a different person. I used to try to imagine Ella without Down syndrome, the little girl of my dreams, but I was never able to picture what she would look like, how she would act, how she would sound, how she would move. Why? Because that's not Ella, it is simply some other little girl, some other girl that does not belong to me. This is how it's supposed to be, I am supposed to be the mother of Ella. And I am so very thankful for that

WELL SAID!!!!!
This is exactly what I try to explain to people, how I feel about Rylie and Ds, but I feel like I can never find the right words. I feel like you just said it for me...thanks.

Sabrina said...

Yes, I agree. There are times I too try to imagine my little Abbi w/out her extra chromosome and can't really seem to other than the fact that she would probably love to talk as much as I do. She does "sign" a lot though! Ella is so beautiful. I really enjoy your blog it uplifts me! Happy Thanksgiving!

kecia said...

As usual you said it perfectly! I love the pics of these cute friends of Ella's I wish I had more little friends like that for Bree. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Mattesons said...

Kasey, your little girl is just soo CUTE! Everytime I get on here and look at the pictrues, I just want to squeeze her. She is just so adorable and seems like she has such the spunky personality.