Every year, World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21...because THIRD month=3rd copy of the #21 chromosome.
This year, we were at the beach on March 21. We didn't really "celebrate-celebrate" it...unless you count that we were AT THE BEACH. And we went to one of our favorite places for dinner. And I bought Joshua one of those "floppy" Columbia hats like his Dad and brothers have (picture on my IG: martythemoose). Annnnd I made chocolate chip cookies in our condo. AT THE BEACH.
Plus, I figure any day we don't lose him on "The Holiday of His People" is a good day. Read this post from a few years ago about when THAT happened.
Every day is Down Syndrome day...FOR US. Right?
There's so much I can say about Joshua...about our lives with him...how thankful we are for him...how much God has taught us through Joshua's life. But if you follow me on here...I think I've pretty much said it all already.
God has done above and beyond what we could've asked or thought in all of our lives over the past 30 years. And, let me be clear: it's been ALL Him...none of us.
I wish I would've known, way back then, the blessings of this path...and the joy that would come from this life. But I probably wouldn't have believed it. Similar to what God told Habakkuk: "I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (Habakkuk 1:5b).
I watched Joshua and Holly sitting out on our balcony this morning...sharing coffee, and talking.
Nope. Never would have imagined this life.
"But the Lord said to Samuel, "...God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
...finding joy in the UPside of DOWN...
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Spring Break 2016: Beach Time
We were so glad to spend a few days at the beach. I had been watching the weather, and it looked like it was going to be on the cool side. But a cool day at the beach or a rainy day at the beach? YOU'RE STILL AT THE BEACH.
Right?
So even tho our kids are all young adults now, and completely able and responsible for their own wardrobe choices, I said, "it looks like the weather will be chilly, so bring a hoodie to wear in the mornings and evenings." We like to walk on the beach, and it can be nippy at certain times of the day. Plus, some of the restaurants we go to are "open air..." and you have to wait outside until you are seated.
BRING A HOODIE, KIDS.
WELL.
The first morning, I was sitting out on our balcony watching the sunrise. I think it goes without saying that I was wearing my flannel pajammies, but if you're new here...you might not know that I wear them approximately 8 months out of the year. THEY ARE SO COZY!
ANYWAY, Holly walked out to the balcony, wearing her robe, "Laurie."
I bought her this robe for her birthday in December. It's LONG...it goes all the way to the floor. It's soft and white, and it's trimmed in brown fur. It has a hood. It's a cross between something Queen Amidala (from Star Wars) would wear...and the way Ursula (from Little Mermaid) looks when she unfolds all of her legs or tentacles or whatever those appendages are. This robe has a life of it's own. It's HUGE! And it's everywhere.
She looked at me and said, "I didn't bring a hoodie...I brought THIS instead."
And I may or may not have slow-blinked her.
Because...was she going to wear that thing down to the beach? Or to dinner? Or when we go shopping at the outlet mall? I mean, the rest of us were going to wear hoodies or jackets...because, this ain't our first rodeo. Is she seriously going to wear a robe?
No. No, she is not.
And, side note: she spent our first shopping night...looking for a "cute hoodie" to buy.
Hmmmmm...
Two of our days were PERFECT weather days. Cool-ish, yes. But warm, sunny, beautiful. The ocean was cold...but so calm. We saw a school of sharks. EEEK! Purple flags on the very first day! We also saw porpoises every day.
It was a very relaxing trip!
"O LORD, what a variety of things You have made! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small." Psalm 104:24-25
Right?
So even tho our kids are all young adults now, and completely able and responsible for their own wardrobe choices, I said, "it looks like the weather will be chilly, so bring a hoodie to wear in the mornings and evenings." We like to walk on the beach, and it can be nippy at certain times of the day. Plus, some of the restaurants we go to are "open air..." and you have to wait outside until you are seated.
BRING A HOODIE, KIDS.
WELL.
The first morning, I was sitting out on our balcony watching the sunrise. I think it goes without saying that I was wearing my flannel pajammies, but if you're new here...you might not know that I wear them approximately 8 months out of the year. THEY ARE SO COZY!
ANYWAY, Holly walked out to the balcony, wearing her robe, "Laurie."
I bought her this robe for her birthday in December. It's LONG...it goes all the way to the floor. It's soft and white, and it's trimmed in brown fur. It has a hood. It's a cross between something Queen Amidala (from Star Wars) would wear...and the way Ursula (from Little Mermaid) looks when she unfolds all of her legs or tentacles or whatever those appendages are. This robe has a life of it's own. It's HUGE! And it's everywhere.
She looked at me and said, "I didn't bring a hoodie...I brought THIS instead."
And I may or may not have slow-blinked her.
Because...was she going to wear that thing down to the beach? Or to dinner? Or when we go shopping at the outlet mall? I mean, the rest of us were going to wear hoodies or jackets...because, this ain't our first rodeo. Is she seriously going to wear a robe?
No. No, she is not.
And, side note: she spent our first shopping night...looking for a "cute hoodie" to buy.
Hmmmmm...
Two of our days were PERFECT weather days. Cool-ish, yes. But warm, sunny, beautiful. The ocean was cold...but so calm. We saw a school of sharks. EEEK! Purple flags on the very first day! We also saw porpoises every day.
It was a very relaxing trip!
"O LORD, what a variety of things You have made! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small." Psalm 104:24-25
Friday, April 1, 2016
Spring Break 2016: Frank and Laurie
We typically spend a few days at the beach over Spring Break. This year, we weren't sure if we would go. Holly is nearly 7 months pregnant, and wasn't sure she could arrange her work schedule to be off. And Aaron the son-in-law had to work. I was NOT feeling great about being responsible for her AND the baby...so far from home. Because I had a very premature baby (Clark), and I know some of the things that can happen.
Also, Logan and Morgan were going to Chicago, as chaperones with the college group from their church, so they wouldn't be able to join us.
But when Holly texted me THE WEEK BEFORE SPRING BREAK and said, "I got off Wednesday..." meaning, she would be off Saturday-Wednesday...I jumped on-line and made reservations.
And, here's the thing.
If you've ever traveled with kids, you know they have a LOT of stuff. If you've ever traveled with babies, OH MY WORD...you have to take every piece of equipment you have. RIGHT?
But if you travel with 5 adults in a Honda Pilot...there will be issues. Because "roomy truck space?"
I'd like a moment for rebuttal, Honda Pilot people.
Jim wanted to lay the back seat flat, in order to have more room for the luggage...which would have required 3 grown adult people to sit in the back seat, side-by-side, in a Honda Pilot. For 9 hours.
Um...no thank YOU.
I convinced him to leave ONE of the backseats up for Joshua. He likes to be able to sit back there, and kind of make his "nest" of all of his things. Unfortunately, on THIS trip? Very small nest.
Well we loaded up and headed over to pick up Holly at her house. Jim announced, LOUDLY, "I hope Holly only has ONE BAG...because if she has more than that...I don't know where it will go." He said this with all of the fatalistic exasperation you can imagine...like, it was going to be the end of the world, or we would have to cancel the trip.
WHY DO MEN HAVE TO BE SO DRAMATIC?
Well...Holly came out with not one...not two...but THREE bags. Jim's jaw got stiff.
And then she went back in the house...and came out with Frank-the-giant-pregnancy-pillow, allll wrapped around her.
And Jim's head?
Blew right off.
Right.off.
Holly had talked about the pregnancy pillow for a while before she got it. I remember the day when UPS notified her that her pillow had been delivered. She couldn't WAIT to get home. The box was nearly 5 feet tall. She was beside herself with excitement! When I went over to her house later in the week, she came out of her bedroom with that giant pillow wrapped around her, and she said, "Mom...this...is Frank."
Yep. She NAMED it.
So when she walked out with Frank wrapped around her...I lost it. I mean, LOST.IT. Because Jim's face...and Frank...and the thought of how in THE WORLD were we going to fit that thing AND her...in our completely crammed car...I could NOT stop laughing.
And NOT ONLY did Holly bring Frank-the-giant-pregnancy-pillow...she brought Laurie-the-robe.
For Holly's birthday in December, I bought her this beautiful robe from Pottery Barn. It's white, and goes all the way to the ground. The sleeves and the HOOD are trimmed in brown fur. She named it "Laurie," after Kelly Stamps' robe-loving friend, Laurie (Kelly writes about Laurie's robe on her blog). I'll try to post a picture of Frank and/or Laurie on my IG (martythemoose), if Holly will let me.
We ended up letting Holly ride up front in the passenger seat, and I sat in the back with the boys...because, if you're keeping track, Jim is driving...and Holly, Frank AND LAURIE are riding up front.
It was a long drive, but we made it to the beach!
"Praise the LORD, for He has shown me the wonders of His unfailing love..." Psalm 31:21
Also, Logan and Morgan were going to Chicago, as chaperones with the college group from their church, so they wouldn't be able to join us.
But when Holly texted me THE WEEK BEFORE SPRING BREAK and said, "I got off Wednesday..." meaning, she would be off Saturday-Wednesday...I jumped on-line and made reservations.
And, here's the thing.
If you've ever traveled with kids, you know they have a LOT of stuff. If you've ever traveled with babies, OH MY WORD...you have to take every piece of equipment you have. RIGHT?
But if you travel with 5 adults in a Honda Pilot...there will be issues. Because "roomy truck space?"
I'd like a moment for rebuttal, Honda Pilot people.
Jim wanted to lay the back seat flat, in order to have more room for the luggage...which would have required 3 grown adult people to sit in the back seat, side-by-side, in a Honda Pilot. For 9 hours.
Um...no thank YOU.
I convinced him to leave ONE of the backseats up for Joshua. He likes to be able to sit back there, and kind of make his "nest" of all of his things. Unfortunately, on THIS trip? Very small nest.
Well we loaded up and headed over to pick up Holly at her house. Jim announced, LOUDLY, "I hope Holly only has ONE BAG...because if she has more than that...I don't know where it will go." He said this with all of the fatalistic exasperation you can imagine...like, it was going to be the end of the world, or we would have to cancel the trip.
WHY DO MEN HAVE TO BE SO DRAMATIC?
Well...Holly came out with not one...not two...but THREE bags. Jim's jaw got stiff.
And then she went back in the house...and came out with Frank-the-giant-pregnancy-pillow, allll wrapped around her.
And Jim's head?
Blew right off.
Right.off.
Holly had talked about the pregnancy pillow for a while before she got it. I remember the day when UPS notified her that her pillow had been delivered. She couldn't WAIT to get home. The box was nearly 5 feet tall. She was beside herself with excitement! When I went over to her house later in the week, she came out of her bedroom with that giant pillow wrapped around her, and she said, "Mom...this...is Frank."
Yep. She NAMED it.
So when she walked out with Frank wrapped around her...I lost it. I mean, LOST.IT. Because Jim's face...and Frank...and the thought of how in THE WORLD were we going to fit that thing AND her...in our completely crammed car...I could NOT stop laughing.
And NOT ONLY did Holly bring Frank-the-giant-pregnancy-pillow...she brought Laurie-the-robe.
For Holly's birthday in December, I bought her this beautiful robe from Pottery Barn. It's white, and goes all the way to the ground. The sleeves and the HOOD are trimmed in brown fur. She named it "Laurie," after Kelly Stamps' robe-loving friend, Laurie (Kelly writes about Laurie's robe on her blog). I'll try to post a picture of Frank and/or Laurie on my IG (martythemoose), if Holly will let me.
We ended up letting Holly ride up front in the passenger seat, and I sat in the back with the boys...because, if you're keeping track, Jim is driving...and Holly, Frank AND LAURIE are riding up front.
It was a long drive, but we made it to the beach!
"Praise the LORD, for He has shown me the wonders of His unfailing love..." Psalm 31:21
Thursday, March 31, 2016
About a Sunday
I love Sundays. Do you?
I mean, as far back as I can remember...I've loved them. Oh, maybe I didn't love them when I was a teenager...but I actually think I did!
I love going to church...seeing all the people...singing the songs. I love the feeling of community I get from worshiping together with other believers.
Even when our kids were little, and it was a struggle to get up, get dressed, find shoes, eat breakfast...and get out the door in time for Sunday School...we still did it. It was never a question of whether or not we were going. WE WERE GOING.
I hope my kids will always have that same feeling.
I'm not trying to be preachy/judgy or legalistic...there were certainly times when we didn't go to church. Like, if we were on vacation...or if we'd been up late with a sick kid or something (meaning, instead of one of us going and the other staying home with the child, we'd both just stay home). Back in the day, there were the occasional swim meets/ball tournaments on a Sunday, and we would have to miss church. But for the most part, we made it to church on Sundays...our church, the grandparent's church, "beach" church on vacation.
Back when I was growing up...and also when our kids were little...we had TRAINING UNION (discipleship training) on Sunday nights...and THEN we had another church service.
The night services were always our favorites. It was homey. Or, as Joshua would say, "more homier."
After night church, we'd go out to dinner with our friends...and everyone would bring their kids. We'd eat and talk and watch kids and make more trips to the bathrooms than you can imagine. We tried to keep the kids away from the self-serve soft-drinks, and out of the crackers on the salad bar. It usually meant hyped-up kids and a rushed nighttime schedule...and a little later-than-normal bedtime by the time we finally got home...but it was such a nice way to start the new week.
You know, most people have to be at work early, so it's not that big of a deal to wake up in time for church. And, hey...I realize not every person is a morning person. Our family...even when our kids were very young...got up early. We never had to wake them up...EVER. So, even if we weren't church-going people, we'd probably have to go SOMEWHERE...because our kids were up and ready to party! Ha!
But I completely understand people feeling like they just want one day to sleep in and relax.
I totally get that.
Our church just started having small groups and services that are the same as the morning ones...on Sunday nights. I hope it's helpful for the ones who can't come in the mornings, for whatever reason.
When I was big pregnant with Joshua...Jim and I got up one morning at 2 a.m. We met up with our friends, David and Jennifer, who were also expecting their first child. We drove to some mountain somewhere, and laid out in the back of the vehicles...and on the ground...and looked up at the sky. All to see Halley's comet.
After we saw it, we went to a Waffle House for breakfast. And then...we went home and got ready...and we went to church. Because it was a Sunday.
We aren't better than anyone...it's just what we did...and we didn't even think about staying home.
Every summer, Joshua goes to a camp for kids with special needs. The camp is located in Missouri. On pick-up day, we typically leave our house at 3 a.m., because the gates open at 7:30...and it's a 4 1/2 hour drive. Most people...most RATIONAL people...they spend the night in a hotel the night before, so they don't have the long, early morning drive. Not us. No way. No how.
"We are settlers. Now go churn us some butter, boy...and then make your own clothes."
Anyone?
(DIRECTV commercial)
We get up before dawn, drive all the way up there...stay an hour for the closing ceremonies...and then drive all the way home. 4 1/2 hours each way. One of us might get a short nap in the car...or we might try to rest after we get home...but we keep on going for the rest of the day. Don't do as we do. We are crazy.
We've also gotten up at the crack of dawn to go to a ballgame.
Why is it we feel we can't possibly be inconvenienced on Sundays?
Before our church services start, our choir meets in the practice room. We go over the special music one more time, and pray for the service. Then, we file out of that room, and into the sanctuary.
I guess it's because I have 3 boys...I don't know...but when we make the turn to go up the steps...and walk through the little hallway that will lead us to the stage...I kind of feel like we are walking into the "tunnel" before the big game.
Did your kid's school have a tunnel, or some sort of blow-up thing, that the football players ran through before the start of the game?
Sometimes I will jump up and hit the door post as we walk through. Now, no one in the congregation can see me...don't worry. And my choir peeps already think I'm crazy...but I'm just so excited to be there. So excited to worship. I love God and I love church, and I want everyone to be excited to worship and sing and learn.
When our two younger boys played soccer (when they were little), before they went out onto the field, the parents would stand in two rows facing each other. We would reach across to the person in front of us, and use our arms to make a little "tent..." our own little tunnel for the kids to run through...pumping them up and cheering them on before they took the field.
I'm not suggesting we do that in our churches...but what if we did? What if, as our church members came in the door, we lined up to greet and cheer them...and gave them high 5's? What if we said, "thank you for coming!" And, "so good to see you!" And, "are you ready to hear a word from the Lord today?"
This is what I envision when I read Hebrews 12 about the "cloud of witnesses." I don't know if it means the faithful men and women of old, or the martyrs, or the angels...or even the other live people who are watching us go through difficulties and trials...but a crowd is there...cheering us on as we go through life.
What if we were all so excited to be at church...so excited about worshiping the Lord together...that we RAN through a blow-up tunnel just to get inside?
There are probably some churches out there that do some really crazy things. And probably, if I was in a church like that one I described above, I would wonder what those people were drinking. Because there is a real danger in getting people hyped up for the sake of emotion; of comparing emotional highs with the moving of the Spirit; of putting the focus on "feeling good," and leaving the service "happy," instead of being broken by the reality of our sin, and on our faces before a holy God.
Church is not always a happy place. If you've been a Christian long enough, you've seen some sadness there. Maybe you've heard some harsh words there. Maybe you haven't been included there. Maybe, in the one place we should all feel welcome, you felt even more alone.
I'm sorry.
It's not supposed to be that way.
Let's try to do better, you and me.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1
I mean, as far back as I can remember...I've loved them. Oh, maybe I didn't love them when I was a teenager...but I actually think I did!
I love going to church...seeing all the people...singing the songs. I love the feeling of community I get from worshiping together with other believers.
Even when our kids were little, and it was a struggle to get up, get dressed, find shoes, eat breakfast...and get out the door in time for Sunday School...we still did it. It was never a question of whether or not we were going. WE WERE GOING.
I hope my kids will always have that same feeling.
I'm not trying to be preachy/judgy or legalistic...there were certainly times when we didn't go to church. Like, if we were on vacation...or if we'd been up late with a sick kid or something (meaning, instead of one of us going and the other staying home with the child, we'd both just stay home). Back in the day, there were the occasional swim meets/ball tournaments on a Sunday, and we would have to miss church. But for the most part, we made it to church on Sundays...our church, the grandparent's church, "beach" church on vacation.
Back when I was growing up...and also when our kids were little...we had TRAINING UNION (discipleship training) on Sunday nights...and THEN we had another church service.
The night services were always our favorites. It was homey. Or, as Joshua would say, "more homier."
After night church, we'd go out to dinner with our friends...and everyone would bring their kids. We'd eat and talk and watch kids and make more trips to the bathrooms than you can imagine. We tried to keep the kids away from the self-serve soft-drinks, and out of the crackers on the salad bar. It usually meant hyped-up kids and a rushed nighttime schedule...and a little later-than-normal bedtime by the time we finally got home...but it was such a nice way to start the new week.
You know, most people have to be at work early, so it's not that big of a deal to wake up in time for church. And, hey...I realize not every person is a morning person. Our family...even when our kids were very young...got up early. We never had to wake them up...EVER. So, even if we weren't church-going people, we'd probably have to go SOMEWHERE...because our kids were up and ready to party! Ha!
But I completely understand people feeling like they just want one day to sleep in and relax.
I totally get that.
Our church just started having small groups and services that are the same as the morning ones...on Sunday nights. I hope it's helpful for the ones who can't come in the mornings, for whatever reason.
When I was big pregnant with Joshua...Jim and I got up one morning at 2 a.m. We met up with our friends, David and Jennifer, who were also expecting their first child. We drove to some mountain somewhere, and laid out in the back of the vehicles...and on the ground...and looked up at the sky. All to see Halley's comet.
After we saw it, we went to a Waffle House for breakfast. And then...we went home and got ready...and we went to church. Because it was a Sunday.
We aren't better than anyone...it's just what we did...and we didn't even think about staying home.
Every summer, Joshua goes to a camp for kids with special needs. The camp is located in Missouri. On pick-up day, we typically leave our house at 3 a.m., because the gates open at 7:30...and it's a 4 1/2 hour drive. Most people...most RATIONAL people...they spend the night in a hotel the night before, so they don't have the long, early morning drive. Not us. No way. No how.
"We are settlers. Now go churn us some butter, boy...and then make your own clothes."
Anyone?
(DIRECTV commercial)
We get up before dawn, drive all the way up there...stay an hour for the closing ceremonies...and then drive all the way home. 4 1/2 hours each way. One of us might get a short nap in the car...or we might try to rest after we get home...but we keep on going for the rest of the day. Don't do as we do. We are crazy.
We've also gotten up at the crack of dawn to go to a ballgame.
Why is it we feel we can't possibly be inconvenienced on Sundays?
Before our church services start, our choir meets in the practice room. We go over the special music one more time, and pray for the service. Then, we file out of that room, and into the sanctuary.
I guess it's because I have 3 boys...I don't know...but when we make the turn to go up the steps...and walk through the little hallway that will lead us to the stage...I kind of feel like we are walking into the "tunnel" before the big game.
Did your kid's school have a tunnel, or some sort of blow-up thing, that the football players ran through before the start of the game?
Sometimes I will jump up and hit the door post as we walk through. Now, no one in the congregation can see me...don't worry. And my choir peeps already think I'm crazy...but I'm just so excited to be there. So excited to worship. I love God and I love church, and I want everyone to be excited to worship and sing and learn.
When our two younger boys played soccer (when they were little), before they went out onto the field, the parents would stand in two rows facing each other. We would reach across to the person in front of us, and use our arms to make a little "tent..." our own little tunnel for the kids to run through...pumping them up and cheering them on before they took the field.
I'm not suggesting we do that in our churches...but what if we did? What if, as our church members came in the door, we lined up to greet and cheer them...and gave them high 5's? What if we said, "thank you for coming!" And, "so good to see you!" And, "are you ready to hear a word from the Lord today?"
This is what I envision when I read Hebrews 12 about the "cloud of witnesses." I don't know if it means the faithful men and women of old, or the martyrs, or the angels...or even the other live people who are watching us go through difficulties and trials...but a crowd is there...cheering us on as we go through life.
What if we were all so excited to be at church...so excited about worshiping the Lord together...that we RAN through a blow-up tunnel just to get inside?
There are probably some churches out there that do some really crazy things. And probably, if I was in a church like that one I described above, I would wonder what those people were drinking. Because there is a real danger in getting people hyped up for the sake of emotion; of comparing emotional highs with the moving of the Spirit; of putting the focus on "feeling good," and leaving the service "happy," instead of being broken by the reality of our sin, and on our faces before a holy God.
Church is not always a happy place. If you've been a Christian long enough, you've seen some sadness there. Maybe you've heard some harsh words there. Maybe you haven't been included there. Maybe, in the one place we should all feel welcome, you felt even more alone.
I'm sorry.
It's not supposed to be that way.
Let's try to do better, you and me.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Hello? Anyone Still Out There?
I think it would be an understatement to say that Spring Break has kicked my booty.
Blogging has had to take a backseat, because Momma just can't get it all done.
And because I've been busy enjoying my family.
Things are good...I'm still here...and hope to get caught up soon. :)
"Satisfy us each morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives." Psalm 90:14
Blogging has had to take a backseat, because Momma just can't get it all done.
And because I've been busy enjoying my family.
Things are good...I'm still here...and hope to get caught up soon. :)
"Satisfy us each morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives." Psalm 90:14
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