Introduction

I started blogging in late 2012 when my unborn daughter (Clara) was diagnosed with Down syndrome. I needed to talk about it and found that while I had friends that listened they didn't always understand; and then there were people who simply didn't want to talk/know about it. So my blog became my sounding board. I soon found out there was a sea of other bloggers out there in my situation--raising children with disabilities--and that inspired me to keep going, as our children and families have stories that should be heard if prejudices about Down syndrome and disabilities in general are to ever change.

My daughter's diagnosis has inspired me in many ways, and one of the biggest inspirations was the courage to finally walk away from a demanding job I no longer enjoyed. While I am in career-limbo I am hoping to find time to paint and if the good Lord sees fit, maybe even make a little profit from it.  The link to my art site is here but it hasn't been updated in a while. There are many new paintings that need to be added. I'm still trying to figure out how to paint while at home with two tinies.

At the time of this writing Clara is just over two weeks old and I am madly in love with her as I knew I would be. So far the challenges I face are that of any other parent with a newborn child. The biggest challenge is adjusting to being a stay at home mom with two babies (her little big brother Lukas is 22 months old).

Clara and Lukas are my second set of children (that seems the best way to phrase it). They have two older siblings: big brother is 21 and big sister is 16. Out of respect for their privacy (you know how older children are) I will make very little mention of them here and refrain from using their names; however, just because they aren't a regular mention here does not mean I love them any less. And thankfully they absolutely love their second set of siblings.

Blogging is not new to me, as I blogged when most people still didn't know what blogs were. That seems like a really long time ago. But, I always enjoyed it and I guess my profession just took me away from it. I still have friends in other states I made during that time and I'm thankful they are still around to support me in my new chapter of life. I look forward to seeing where new developing friendships will lead and how far this blog can go toward not only helping me, but possibly even helping other people that might be new to Down syndrome and seeking answers.