Welcome

Our lives became a little [EXTRA] special on February 15, 2011 in a way we never expected.







This is about our journey and the [EXTRA]ordinary people we meet along the way.







Saturday, March 17, 2012

Luck-o-the-Irish to ya


I'm not Irish, but my kids are partly Irish. Most days I proudly claim my German English heritage, but today was different. Today was an [EXTRA]ordinary March day. It was gorgeous outside! And the City of Cincinnati was once again putting on the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. This year I was lucky enough to walk in it. The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati uses this fun, family-friendly parade to promote awareness of individuals with Down Syndrome and the association itself. It was a great day. Although my husband had to work, I walked in the parade with my kids, my Mom, my niece and nephew, sister and brother-in-law, and my Aunt-in-law Joyce and her husband, Rich. We also were joined by a group of, I'm guessing 50 people either with Down syndrome or family and friends of someone who has Down syndrome. I met new friends, saw others who I hadn't seen in a while and chatted with a few I see more frequently, like Amy, who has a little girl close to Wyatt's age. It's so nice to talk with others who understand our unique challenges (like Wyatt being 1 and still having no teeth!). This is why I love being in this new 'family' I found through the DSAGC. We get to do some really fun things together, like walking in today's parade! We got dressed up, we decorated my already green double stroller, we cheered, we waved, smiled and laughed. We sprayed lots of green silly string into the crowds (and intend on using much, much more next year). It was a perfect parade. My very first of it's kind. And, on my way to the car, an adult with Down syndrome walked up to me, put his arm around me and hugged me and, without saying a word, made my day.


 

Oma (my Mom) and Wyatt




Eden, me and Wyatt

Uncle Rich pushing the stroller for a while

Wyatt had too much green milk ; )

On lookers (and Amy's husband in some killer Green Corduroy pants)

My sister, Jessica (left) with her husband, Reese, and kids, me, my kids and Oma

Let's get it started.

I'm doing everything else but what I'm supposed to be doing right now. I can't do anything else. I'm too excited. Like brimming with ideas and can't type fast enough excited. I've been trying to think about a way that I can unload all these wild and crazy thoughts, experiences, joys, frustrations, questions and learnings about the new and improved, [EXTRA]ordinary life that I now own.

And it just came to me.

There are so many new people and friends whom I have met over the last year. This [EXTRA]ordinary year. I should tell you about them. They really are all [EXTRA]ordinary people in one way or another. I really, really should tell you about them....