Thursday, October 25, 2018

Chip & Joanna At It Again

You can’t NOT like Chip & Joanna Gaines. 

Another reason to love them this week: 

As part of Chip's annual Chipstarter program, the Fixer Upper stars gifted a Missouri couple with the $16,203 they needed to adopt a two-year-old boy with Down syndrome from China. Jason and Melinda Simmons, who applied to Chip's contest earlier this fall, are now able to bring their son home.”

Gaines help the Simmons adopt


Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Quick Trip to Chicago

My oldest friend from 1997 (??) adopted her daughter back in May... it was a long and winding road filled with lots of detours. I knew I wanted us to all go hug Megan, her husband Chris, and their new daughter, Lily, who is now five months old. 



We didn’t have a lot of time and didn’t want to spend $$$, so we only took a Friday off. Drove up that day and stayed at a Holiday Inn Express out by O’Hare. It was a new facility and very clean and family-friendly, so we were happy. 


We spent the day with our friends - putzed around their area and avoided downtown Chicago due to the marathon being Sunday - ! 











It was so nice spending time with them - it’s always easy to pick right up where we left off. I’m so happy their family is complete now! 




Fall Photos

Busy life means lagging in posts... 

We had our annual Family Cabin weekend a town over with our friends. We’ve had this fun tradition since Nora was just one! 

Stu and Hannah are only two weeks apart!






Milford had three days of fall break. One day they went to the zoo with the sitter: 






One day was spent at Grammy’s house - Grandpa took advantage of naptime : ) 


And fall temps finally arrived - we literally went from A/C to heat in one week. I hurriedly had to swap out clothes in closets in one weekend! 




Wednesday, October 17, 2018

New Nike Runner

Another video you can’t NOT tear up at. Nike signed Oregon runner Justin Gallegos to a contract for three years - the first runner signed with Cerebral Palsy! Glad Nike saw the potential in Justin and that he’s just as capable as typical athletes! 

Justin Gallegos

Two Princes

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had an extra-special visit with a boy in Australia who I think most of us are fairly certain has Down syndrome. Many women are very jealous he was able to get past security and touch Harry’s beard 😆

Very appropriate for Down syndrome awareness month in the U.S.!

The Boy and the Beard


Friday, October 5, 2018

Special Needs Spotlight: Hannah!

I’ve been following Miggy (real name Amy who lives in the Cincinnati area!) for a bit now – she’s a strong voice in the special needs community and I love her fervor. She reached out for volunteers for her Spotlight, I did, and she quickly responded for me to answer her questions!

I’m very honored that we are featured, especially during Down syndrome Awareness month (October)!

Thank you Miggy!

Special Needs Spotlight: Hannah

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Bittersweet Ending

Earlier this summer, a man - whose daughter has Ds and part of the DSAGC family - choked and died while eating dinner at home. It was incredibly heartbreaking as the mother stayed home with three children. 

Their story had a positive ending as Clete was an organ donor and saved John Mock’s life.

A bittersweet ending and glad to see Carrie is slowly healing.