November's 2012 Thankfulness Project

The last two years, I have invited other parents of kids with special needs on to share their stories.  I have been honored to host a myriad of different special needs along with Down Syndrome, including a whole host of ages.

My goal was two fold.  The first was remind my "special" readers a  that they are far from alone.  Also, to give my "typical" readers a peek at more than just my life, so they also see that I am not a unique situation, in attitude, nor in numbers.

I have tried to get local friends, who are not "Bloggers" to join me to share their stories as both an outlet and a "joining of the circle".  Also, I love to link fellow bloggers to share the camaraderie with my friends who do not know them or have the pleasure of reading them.  I love the opportunity to see other writers and to enjoy their stories, and to connect with their blogs...

This year, while I would like to do it again, I would love to try a new perspective.  I want to share this year's triumphs!  I am BEGGING you to write, reshare, or tweak a post focusing on something that you are excited about concerning your child's physical, emotional, or social development.  I would also love to see "SNAPSHOTS" where you showcase your child's interests and accomplishments, in a list or 3 or 10 or 21 or whatever!  You do not have to be a "Writer" or a "Blogger"...you just need a child or sibling or a beloved someone with with a disability or a little something extra...share what makes them the same as everybody else or share their most recent funny story or triumph.

You can read here the last couple of years of Fantastic:

2010
2011

If you have a blog, I will of course link you.  If you are not a blogger, but want in on the fun I will share however much information you feel comfortable with.  Please email me at: underwater9800@gmail.com. or contact me via Facebook.

Randomly Thankful Thoughts - Big

My girlfriend posted a challenge last year and renewed it this year.  (Read it HERE)  In the short, short version, she challenged us to find the random, small things that are sprinkled about in life...not the big stuff, we all say we are thankful for every year...which I am not disregarding, just that there are other things that we should be thankful for...

Yesterday, Elise fell asleep before I had to pick up Gabriel from Lacrosse practice.  When it came time to leave, I could not wake her up.  At all.  As she is not at a developmental level to be left alone, irrespective of her age, I could not just leave her home to sleep.

So I had to wrestle her 70 lbs out to the car.  Which is difficult enough under awake circumstances...but when she is asleep I am pretty sure she gains another 30-50 lbs.  When she sleeps all her joints turn into jello and she is almost impossible to carry.  Like a sleeping cat.  I thought this back when she was a mere 40lbs...now I am turning into Inigo Montoya (in the Princess Bride) when he is dragging Wesley and keeps getting lower as he goes on.

Anyway, my Randomly Thankful thought yesterday was, "Wow.  I am glad I am not the petite little thing I always wished I could be."  If God had seen fit to give me the 5'0", fine-framed figure I had craved all throughout my life until adulthood, I would never been able to carry Elise up and down stairs at our old house while I was pregnant.  I couldn't piggy back her until she was 6 in a carrier.  I would never be able to strong arm her during tantrums at the grocery.  I certainly could not get her to and from the car while sleeping.  And the list pretty much goes on from there. 

I am a sturdy 5'8".  And I am thankful for every inch and every muscle nowadays.  I sometimes find myself wishing for more...  :)

On the flip side, as a friend observed,  I would not give up my Elise to become a petite little thing, though either.  It's worth it, from both perspectives...