Another video update! We’ve had lots of questions in the last few years about what life in Kenya will look like for Sam. Here’s a short overview of what he’s up to, which makes me think we should do a video with him very soon. So check back for that before long!
Also, I received Sam’s new curriculum just a few days ago and am absolutely thrilled to get started this week! After lots of searching and asking and praying, we decided to try Simply Classical from Memoria Press. It is a Classical Christian program, which means we’ll be focusing on literature and memorization along with many fine and gross motor activities (little movements for pre-writing and big movements for running & jumping). Lots of Dr Suess and Margaret Wise Brown, short Bible verses and prayers, letter tracing, songs, and nature walks. It was written by a woman with a Masters degree in special education who also has two grown children with special needs. I’ll let you know in a few weeks how it’s working!
Oh friends, where do I even begin? The post I quickly popped up a week and a half ago sharing that I wasn’t feeling well seems so long ago. As it turns out, I was a bit more than simply ‘under the weather.’
Oh friends, I’m so sorry for the quietness you’ve found here recently. I’ve hit an illness that seems to be lingering. A few weeks ago, I caught a cold with pretty typical symptoms for me. with But I think my immunity was down during that, inviting other illnesses to sneak in. The little sicknesses that are brand new for my body in this environment. Until a few days ago, I was still able to be out and about, playing with the kids and getting ready for the upcoming school year. This week, however, has been harder. I’ve spent the last three days in bed, yesterday and today with a stomach bug. I wasn’t planning on sharing this since I know so many friends want to hear the cool, new parts of life in Africa, but I would just really love your prayers for healing. This may not be a cool part of life, but it’s a part of it, nonetheless. And don’t worry, my doctor hubby and kiddos are taking very good care of me. I’ll be back at it soon!
(a cute picture, just for fun)
Thank you so much for your prayers! I truly do appreciate every single one.
I want you all to meet three-year-old Benjamin! I first met Benny and his mama, Jamie, a couple years ago on Instagram when I heard about an amazing project Jamie was starting. Jamie had written the story of her early days with her son in a beautiful journal and was mailing the book to other families all over the globe. The Down Syndrome Diary is now filled with stories of families learning of their child’s diagnosis and the hope they have found since receiving that news. I wrote our story in its pages a year ago and am super excited to eventually see the finished project! The project is now gaining momentum and getting international press! Click over to TheDownSyndromeDiary.com to see where the journal is traveling and for updates. You can follow Jamie and Benny on Instagram as @BenThroughItAll and on Jamie’s blog.
What are some things Benny thoroughly enjoys doing?
Benny LOVES music! He is downright passionate about it. He will completely stop what he is doing and bee line towards music if it starts playing at any time within earshot. If someone pulls out a guitar and starts singing, he is in heaven!
What are his favorite games and books?
Benny LOVES to do board puzzles these days. He is obsessed! Books are big on his list of fun things, too. He loves Curious George, Mama Llama, and his favorite books ever are the That’s not my Puppy series!
What would he do if they could design his own day?
Benny’s self-designed day would consist of lots of snacks and delicious food, a park with swings and slides to climb on, his whole family there to play with, and a personal band playing music just for him!
What are a few things he’s really good at?
Benny is a great sleeper and eater…just like his Mama!!! He is also great at making people smile! He’s a super friendly little dude. Oh… and he’s REALLY good at getting his picture taken. He will smile the SECOND anyone takes out their phone or camera!
Who does Benny love to spend time with? What do they do together?
Benny’s favorite people to spend time with are his Abuelito (Grandpa) and his sister Ellie. He and Abuelito love to play with different things they find around the house. With Ellie, they like to listen to music and tickle each other.
How is Benny similar and different from his little sister?
Ellie is 8 months old, and is definitely starting to rival Ben in the speech category. Benny is a quiet little guy, and still isn’t speaking any words or sounds consistently. Ellie is already saying Mama, Dada, and Bruh-Bruh (brother) while she reaches out for big bros hugs! I see her learning from him by watching him play with his toys, and he is enamored with the sounds she makes.
What is something you want everyone to know about your son?
Benny is an extremely intelligent, easy going, and capable little dude. He may have his own time frame for things, but he ALWAYS gets there!
What is the most wonderful part of knowing them?
The most wonderful part about knowing Benny is having the opportunity to make him laugh. When Benny laughs, his whole body shakes and his shoulders jump up and down. His little laugh is gonna change the world!!!
What have been good resources for you to learn more about Down syndrome?
My favorite place to learn has been through other parents. I love hearing and learning about Down syndrome from those who know how amazing it truly is to have that extra chromosome in their lives. Life is all about perspective, after all!
What is something you don’t think many people know about Down syndrome?
I don’t think many people know that people with Down syndrome are often of average or slightly less than average intelligence. They can do just about anything anybody with only 46 chromosomes can do!!!
Check back tomorrow as we continue celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month or click below to read all of our previous posts.
You guys! It’s Pip and her mama, Tara, from Happy Soul Project! Tara has been working incredibly hard to educate others about the beauty of differences since her daughter was born almost four years ago. The two have been featured in magazines, online publications, speaking events, and on television. It’s really fun to see what Tara is up to on her blog and on Instagram. You can also check out the Happy Soul Project shop for awesome shirts, calendars, and other pieces that are spreading awareness that ‘different is beautiful.’
What is something Pip is really good at? Dancing. This girl was made to move. I swear any song, any place & this girl is a moving.
What would she do if she could design her own day? If Pip could design her own day, she’d wake up in our bed, call her brothers in when she was ready or when her mom & dad’s attention fully on her was enough. She’d then get to play on the tablet which in her case ALWAYS means listening to music. She’d have Popsicles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and walk to the park to have a good go of a swing for as long as someone’s arms would push her. She’d play with her brothers, read with her momma & chase her dad around the kitchen island. And she’d smile like she always does, right before she drifts off to sleep, knowing it was a great day.
What has Pip taught her brothers? What have they taught her?
Pip has taught her brothers a sweetness that only she could bring into their lives. they are aware of celebrating the beauty in differences & they see what magic someone like her holds. Her brothers in turn have taught her everything, how to be funny, how to be kind, how to be patient, how to get out of timeouts, how to drive their momma bonkers, how to tie their dad around all their fingers & how to give the best hugs.
What is the most wonderful part of knowing Pip? The most wonderful part of knowing Pip is knowing how much she’s changed me. Knowing how much purpose she’s given my life. Knowing she is exactly the daughter I was meant to have.
Check back tomorrow as we continue celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
Click below to read all of our posts celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
