31 for 21: Better than it Looks: All In

Article of Evidence #2:

I've spoken of my favorite part of Elise BEFORE.  And I stand by it.  She lives Life, to the very edges...huge-er than life...100% of the time.

We always speak of people "giving it 110%"...you've never met someone who lives that big until you've met Elise...ever.  I promise.  Those who know my girl, feel free to back me up.

My mother and I bought her a placard for over her bed last year with this quote: "Life is good, life is big. Life beats a rhythm in every heart that beckons each of us to join the dance."
~ Annie Danielson And it was so perfect for her, because her life is a swirl and she invites you in...drags some of us... 

When Elise was first born, I heard this song for the first time. 

I Hope You Dance.  Lee Ann Womack.

We were already watching her heart.  We knew that her path was starting out harder.  And I prayed.  That no matter what she would have to deal with in conjunction with the Downs, that she would live to the fullest of her potential.  And WOW she has not disappointed!

Her sadness is bigger.  Her excitement is bigger.  Her irritation is bigger. Her surprise is bigger.  Her anger is bigger.  Her effort is bigger.  Her persistence is bigger.  Her joy fills the room.  Her EVERYTHING is bigger than anyone you've ever met. 

She misses no opportunities.  She misses no body language.  She misses no parties.  She misses no needs.  She misses nothing.

I appreciate her.  I treasure her.  I aspire to be like her.

Don't Forget to Sign Up for Some Muchness!!

Don't forget to make sure you are entered for my two giveaways, comment here on the blog or the blog's Facebook page or send me an email at underwater9800@gmail.com enter before December 31st to win!!

Dancing with Max
and
A Certain Small Shepherd

I assure you, these books are inspirational and soothing to the soul!!  You'll want to win!!!

Last Night's Fun

And, yes, this was totally the correct order.  Our pizza was taking a while to get there, so we opened presents while we waited! 

LOVE these pictures!!  They totally capture her!!!

Oh, and "AceMyHorse" (Very black and invisible in the pictures!) absolutely went to school with her today, along with popcicles to celebrate with her friends!

31 for 21: #25 The Stars in Your Eyes

Nine years ago.

In some ways, it seems so much longer. 
In some ways, it seems like yesterday.
In some ways, I am saddened that we are not further along...
In some ways, we are already so much further than I thought we'd be...

Nine years ago.  Tonight. The sky shifted. Ever so slightly.

You know how you look up at the sky in a city at the stars?  You only see a few of the brightest stars, and they are very far away.  When you look up at the stars in a suburban area, you see quite a few more stars, but they are still very far away.  When you are in a rural area, the stars shift to almost wrap around you.  They are mind-numbing in their numbers.  When you go to the ultimate in, say, North Dakota or Montana (think middle of nowhere!), the stars shift somehow in depth.  Not only do the numbers go up yet again, but there are levels of stars.  There are a few that are so close you could literally pluck them from your hair.  There are some that are so very far away, that you realize your own insignificance.  Distance becomes almost an inconsequential word...you wonder if they are bumping God's elbows...Your heart swells in the very beauty and magnitude of them.

I've murmured about Brushfield Spots before.  They are one of the defining characteristics of Down Syndrome.  Elise's are beautiful.  When she was little, I referred to them as "stars in her eyes".  They fill her irises.  There are big ones and tiny ones.  They sparkle.  They dance.  They ground me.  They inspire me.  They are stars in the fullest sense of the idea. 

When Elise was born, my sky shifted.  A few stars were captured in her glowing eyes.  They measure life.  They give depth to the simple.  They give distance to the oppression of fear.  They give radiance to the unexpected.  They glimmer with joy and love.  They shimmer with delight.  These stars have captured me.  These stars have set me free.

Happy Birthday, Elise!  I love you!  Thank you for sharing your stars!

31 for 21: #13 Elise is CatMouse

I am SURE I have to have mentioned that Elise looooves Tom and Jerry.  I mean LOOOVES Tom and Jerry.  She calls it CatMouse.  All one word.  Said veryfast.  :)
Now, I love some shows, with a deep and abiding passion, but I can honestly say that while I have memorized some scripts and could say them in my sleep, I have never memorized a movie such that I could act out every physical nuance of a movie or show...perhaps a movement or two but not the whole dadgum thing.

Elise takes it to a whole new level.  She can act out ALL of the puppetry of most of the Baby Einsteins.  With her back to the TV.  She also can act out virtually all of the Tom and Jerry episodes that we have.  Again, with her back to the TV.  But my very favorite aspect?  That she can listen to the music of "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby", and act out the Tom and Jerry cartoon around it, with sound effects.  And it isn't even the same artist.  Just the same music.  It is a pleasure to watch her.  She laughs just remembering the funny gags in timing with the music.

It's stuff like this that gives me insight into just how complex her mind really is...tied up and kept captive behind her lack of speech...I pray that somehow she wrestles her way out...finds the words to enchant us all...  I know I certainly will be...am I am without the words, even.  :)

So, here is Tom and Jerry, performing Elise's favorite episode...while you watch, pretend that you have a pixie-eyed girl snickering in front of your screen mirroring it perfectly...and underscoring the sound effects.  I promise it will make it better!  It always does for me!!

31 for 21: #10 Muchness Captured

I have a couple of good school pictures.  But most are proof of awkwardness and self-consciousness.  I think most people are that way.

I have some proof of Elise's Muchness.  Every single school picture of Elise since she was 3 and entered the school system has been fabulous and bursts with her personality...I only have the last 3 loaded up on digital...so these are the only ones I can share:

That's right.  And she is just as gorgeous in the previous 3 years!!  Who has spectacular school pictures????  Only those whose MUCHNESS is so strong and powerful that it can jump through a photo! 

Enjoy!  :)