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Post by MB on Nov 30, 2005 17:00:16 GMT -5
In this joyful season I thought it might be nice to highlight what it is about our children with Down syndrome that brings us joy.
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Post by MB on Nov 30, 2005 17:05:52 GMT -5
My fourteen-year-old son has never once touched a Christmas decoration. For years I was in awe of this toddler walking right by trees, garland, lights etc.. and stopping only to look.
He never holds a grudge. It doesn't matter how unfair anyone treats him, he is always ready to forgive and forget.
He sees the beauty in everyone. I'll never forget the day he came running into my closet. I was slaving over a hot iron while wearing baggy sweats. He had found our wedding album. He looked at me with such awe and said, "Mom, you're a princess." I could think of no other reply except, "Yes, I am."
Even at the awkward age of 14 with a stubbly beard, he still looks like an angel when he sleeps.
mb
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Post by CC on Nov 30, 2005 19:53:40 GMT -5
For me I can honestly say BOTH my kids bring me JOY daily ;D ;D Some days a little less joy then others LOLOL BUT honestly in this Joyful/ Thankful season I can truly say GOD did me well with my two kids CC~
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Post by momofrussell on Nov 30, 2005 20:13:09 GMT -5
Russell is truly always (almost always ) giggly... he is so content for the most part... and the growling has become far and few recently which I am TRULY thankful for!!!! He is just my silly, giggly little man and I find him to truly be a joy!!!! A.
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Post by Emilysmom on Nov 30, 2005 21:39:36 GMT -5
GREAT idea MB............but where do I begin???
One thing that brings me joy is that.......at an age when many young girls (14) are rolling their eyes at their mothers and acting like they must have come from another planet.....my girl really LIKES me and her face still lights up when she sees me in the mornings or when I get home from work, etc.
Another thing is that Emily insists on praying for every single member of our family before meals........we're talking about the cousins, the dog, etc! And I believe with all my heart that God loves hearing from her and He understands every word!
As CC said, all four of my children bring me joy............but in different ways. Way too many people see some of the drawbacks to having a child with Ds (health related issues, having to deal with school systems that don't always have my child's best interest at heart, etc), so I am VERY happy to take advantage of any opportunity to share how much JOY she continues to bring to her family.
Susan
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Post by ValerieC on Nov 30, 2005 22:04:55 GMT -5
I tell people all the time that our house is filled with joy and laughter that wasn't there before Alethea.
I just love her playful spirit and wonderful personality. We all laugh at her comical ways and she loves that we laugh. For example, tonight I was reading the Bible to Hannah and Alethea. I had put Alethea in her crib to keep her somewhat confined. When we finished reading we prayed and she folded her hands and prayed right along with us. I then asked her to lay down (this was a first on my part, she had followed my other directions why not this one?) she gritted her teeth, grabbed onto the crib and started moving herself back and forth making the crib roll across the floor, and laughing. The sight was incredibly funny! All my 5 year old and I could was laugh.
That's a typical day in our home. She does things and tries things my other children never did and therefore I get to see the world through another set of beautiful eyes.
Valerie C
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Post by CC on Nov 30, 2005 22:18:07 GMT -5
Ohhhhhhh SUSAN Awwwwwwww you said " Emily insists on praying for every single member of our family before meals........we're talking about the cousins, the dog, etc! And I believe with all my heart that God loves hearing from her and He understands every word!" Awwwww ;D ;D I just LOVED that ;D THANKS CC
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Post by Debbie on Nov 30, 2005 23:35:45 GMT -5
I know you are talking about your children on here but I feel like since I have Down syndrome I wanted to turn the tables and say how thankful I am for my family especially my parents. They are my hero's! I am very blessed.
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Post by ALLISA on Dec 1, 2005 1:06:37 GMT -5
One of the joys I get from Erin is seeing how her big brothers are so wonderful to her. I know they get frustrated as all siblings do over annoying things....but for the most part....they love to play with her, sing to her, read to her. She brings out the best in them !
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Post by myangelsaliandsadi on Dec 1, 2005 6:00:14 GMT -5
I wouldn't know where to start. When I'm trying to change her clothes this little clown has me figured out! She stands up so I can them off, then sits down pretending to cooperate... but promptly stands back up and tackles me! Seriously, she pushes me with all her strength onto my back and then tackles me while laughing hysterically. I absolutely CAN NOT get frustrated even if it takes an hour to change her clothes because she is so happy. She loves to chase/be chased by the dogs. Our dog does it just to make her laugh, follows her around the room and she thinks it is hilarious. When I'm trying to get a picture of her she does the same thing... she's going for the windblown look in her pictures lately. She is so loving. She will hug the dog, her sister, us, it's so nice to have such a loving child. (Not saying that's because she has down syndrome, but it's definitely a switch from her sister who doesn't!) She is so safety conscious. She gets very upset if you set her in her carseat and buckle her sister in first... or put her in her highchair without buckling her in immediatly. She wants to be "buckled." LOL. Her ever growing communication skills. Most recently I will ask her what video she would like to watch. I usually get a couple for her to choose from and show them to her. (Baby Einstein, Signing Time, Sesame Street, Bear In The Big Blue House, ect.. all educational.) Lately she takes the Bear in the Big Blue House video and hands it to me and says, "Bear Please." I ask her if she wants to watch Bear in the Big Blue House and she looks at me like I'm nuts and nods her head yes very strongly and says "Bear PLEASE!" LOL.. I ask her again just to get her to say it again. Her love of music, dancing, ect. This kid cracks me up with her dancing to patriotic songs, waving the flag... playing soccer, kicking the ball. Trying to jump by grabbing onto her pant legs and pulling them up LOL... Dad taught her that one! Her amazing judge of character... to this day there are people she's known forever that she won't approach... but one person she hugged the first time she met her. I knew immediatly that person was wonderful, and I was correct. Ali is so forgiving. Her sister is not very nice to her a lot of the time... after Peanut has hurt Ali we try very hard to get Peanut to give her hug or say she is sorry, ect. But it is Ali who gives Peanut the hug and says she is sorry instead. She is cautious around her, but she is still very gentle and loving with her. The list goes on and on.. and I am very much feeling appreciative of this little girl right now. We have not had an easy road with her sister at all, and on days when things are particularly hard Ali is the calming force in our house. I am very thankful that she is who she is.. and I wish any future children I have could be more like her. She is just so easy to love, so obedient... just an amazing kid. You asked, I answered... I'm done now.
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Post by Jessie on Dec 1, 2005 8:24:48 GMT -5
Huh, maybe the morning isn't the best time for me to respond to this post since The Boy is Mr. Grumpy Pants and not at all a joy to be around!!!! LOL
Seriously, I love the way that Jason laughs (when he is not being Mr. Grumpy Pants), it's such a deep, hearty, honest laugh, you can't help but be touched by it.
Along the lines of what MB said about her son and the Christmas decorations, Jason has NEVER once touched any of the knick knacks/decor in my house. We have glass-top end tables and people ask me how I keep them clean with Jason around. I respond that he NEVER touches them like most other kids would and he ALWAYS uses a coaster!! I have cabinets of crystal dishes and figurines and he has never bothered them once. Now . . . when little Miss Ellie gets a tad older I will have to child-proof the house big time!!
The biggest joy is seeing the joy on HIS face when he accomplishes something new. Those are pretty good moments . . .
Jessie
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Post by carolyn on Dec 1, 2005 8:29:50 GMT -5
I too am thankful for his silly ways, and how he has brought this family down to earth. I can tell you how much love and heart my family has, and how having a child with a disability brings the most wonderful people into your life. Teachers, doctors, therapists and new friends- people that do this work every day and yet make us feel so special. I am thankful for my husband who makes my job easier- I never loved him as much as when John was first born and he accepted, without complaint, the whole situation we were facing. He never flinched, never wavered- this was his son. Because of John I have seen a side of my husband I might never of seen- and it gets me through those days I can't believe I married him. ( Come on, we all have those days!!) Also, we say grace every night at dinner, and John is the one who always reminds us- home or not, we have to say grace. Sometimes I see him make the sign of the cross before eating when he is by himself. How amazing is that. Merry Christmas! Carolyn
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Post by Valerie on Dec 1, 2005 10:49:59 GMT -5
OK, first of all I LOVE the fact that healthwise he is doing fantastic and all the heart surgeries, etc... are behind us! ;D Truly thankful for that. As for what brings me joy about him, EVERYTHING! I just love that little boy so much, I truly don't know how we got along without him! I Love how he copies us. If we cross our arms, he does, too and grins HUGE! ;D If we scratch our head, so does he, if we jump, he will too! So fun! I love hearing his little voice SAYING words (we've recently added Elmo and MINE), I love watching his little hands make all his signs. I love his infectious little smile! I love how he's pretty consistent with the good mood! Oh, don't get me wrong, he has little tantrums typical of a 2 yr old, but a mellower version of what his brother's were, and gets over things easier! I love the impact he has made on his older brother. It is so wonderful for me to see this pretty much fully grown child of mine with Nicholas. He can be so gentle with him, and he can rough house with him! There isn't anything he wouldn't do for that little guy! Oh, I could go on and on and on. Like I said, I just love him!
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Post by Chester on Dec 1, 2005 14:44:22 GMT -5
In a nutshell it is the "Joy, Joy, Joy" in his soul that is SO refreshing. Everything in our little guys world is joyful to him. A stranger in a store deserves as warm of a "hi" as anyone does. Sitting on the potty and making a "whish" noise out of his mouth, but never going a drop gets him clapping. Opening the fridge door and taking out the soy sauce and painting the floor and then running to find Mom and signing "silly", he's been the happiest three year old on "post-painting-clean-up" as I've ever seen. His outlook on life seems magical.
Disclaimer....don't get me wrong he has his grumpy times, and has started 'blowing' on people just because he knows it's annoying, but even his grumpy times are reassuring to me. He's got a full range of emotions, he just chooses to focus on the positive.
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Post by rickismom on Dec 1, 2005 19:05:10 GMT -5
Well, at ANYTIME ;D I am willing to say- my child is a real persistant kid. Just keeps trying and going forward! She also REALLY loves and cares for others.
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