I've been a little bored with my blog lately. To be honest, there just isn't that much to write about. I started this blog as a way to share our story. To tell what it's like to live with someone who has Down Syndrome.
There are contrasts between Beth and her sisters that I could write about, but they're not that major and they really don't impact our lives that much. Sharaya and Diana learned to drive, Beth didn't. They go out at night with friends, Beth rarely goes out at night and when she does Chuck and I drive her. They know how much laundry soap to use, Beth uses so much you can smell it clear out in the yard. They know how to spit their toothpaste into the sink, Beth spits all over the faucet and the counters and the mirror... (I swear she's like a sprinkler!)
Their lives are just... different. They would be different even if Beth didn't have Down Syndrome. Beth is a loner. She's like me, she likes her alone time. Life keeps her busy with boring, mundane things and when she gets a few minutes to relax, she likes to be alone. She doesn't talk much and is uncomfortable around people.
There's nothing wrong with that but it certainly doesn't make interesting blogging material.
So, I'm going to start blogging about things that are a little more interesting than toothpaste. Something our family has been doing for more than 30 years.
I know many people dread just the thought of it, but we absolutely love it! Stay tuned!
Friday, March 31, 2017
Friday, March 24, 2017
A Movie, A Photo Booth, and Chocolate
Beth was 20 years old when World Down Syndrome Day was established so we haven't really participated in anything. We went on one Buddy Walk, but we haven't worn the socks or T shirts or done anything really to bring awareness to Down Syndrome. But this year I decided to do a little something. It's not much but it's a start.
I've really liked the whole Random Acts of Kindness thing. I think that's good any day of the year! But to celebrate WDSD in a way that shows love and consideration to others just seems right to me. So I went on-line and copied a little note I'd seen, made a card - blue and yellow of course! - and filled some small baggies with chocolate. Then as we went about our day, I had Beth hand them out to people. I explained what they were for and why we were handing them out. The clerk at the drug store, the waiter at Red Robin, the cashier at the grocery store... everyone was overwhelmed and kept thanking Beth.
They looked at her. They thanked her. That's what surprised me the most, people genuinely engaged her, some for the very first time even though we're in these stores many times a week. I plan to do this again next year, but more of them and maybe something other than chocolate.
After we handed out all of our baggies, we went and saw Beauty and the Beast and we loved it! Before we went in we told Beth that she couldn't sing out loud because she knows every word to every song and we knew she would sing them! But she did very good and didn't sing at all, at least not loud enough that we could hear.
The music was wonderful, the sets were magnificent, the story... old as time. (Didja see what I did there?) 😊
On Sunday we're meeting Nick at a different theater and she gets to see it again with him. She told me she hopes there's a photo booth there! We might have to keep at eye on those two!
I've really liked the whole Random Acts of Kindness thing. I think that's good any day of the year! But to celebrate WDSD in a way that shows love and consideration to others just seems right to me. So I went on-line and copied a little note I'd seen, made a card - blue and yellow of course! - and filled some small baggies with chocolate. Then as we went about our day, I had Beth hand them out to people. I explained what they were for and why we were handing them out. The clerk at the drug store, the waiter at Red Robin, the cashier at the grocery store... everyone was overwhelmed and kept thanking Beth.
They looked at her. They thanked her. That's what surprised me the most, people genuinely engaged her, some for the very first time even though we're in these stores many times a week. I plan to do this again next year, but more of them and maybe something other than chocolate.
After we handed out all of our baggies, we went and saw Beauty and the Beast and we loved it! Before we went in we told Beth that she couldn't sing out loud because she knows every word to every song and we knew she would sing them! But she did very good and didn't sing at all, at least not loud enough that we could hear.
The music was wonderful, the sets were magnificent, the story... old as time. (Didja see what I did there?) 😊
We got there early so Beth and I decided to get inside the photo booth! I don't think I'd ever done it before but I think they turned out pretty cute!
Saturday, March 18, 2017
A Little Change
Beth and I went out shopping the other night, we had a lot planned and I was so excited because I could take a lot of pictures and post them on the blog! Woohoo!! I couldn't wait!
We went to the Family Christian Book Store, stopped at Michael's for a few things and came away with a few more things, we stopped for dinner... and as we were driving home I remembered. Ahhgg! I didn't take one photo. Not one.
Well I guess that's good because that means I was in the moment, experiencing it with Beth as they happened and not seeing it through a camera lens. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
Allie came over to play today! When she was a toddler Sharaya worked every Saturday so I got to watch her all day. But Sharaya has changed jobs and sometimes we can go a couple weeks without seeing them so I was so glad when Sharaya asked if I could watch her today!
We played a Disney Memory Game, watched a little TV, played with stickers, but her favorite thing today was my coin jar! We must have spent an hour playing with these.
We counted them and sorted them and then we spun them and she'd yell "Heads!" and I'd yell "Tails" and we'd see how many we'd get right.
Then I accidentally rolled one across the table and so we started doing that back and forth. First with one then two at a time, then she started rolling 6 and 7 quarters at a time and they'd roll all over the table. We laughed so hard we had to take a couple breaks to catch our breath again!
We were playing the Memory Game at the kitchen table when it was time for Beth to leave for work. They hugged each other and wouldn't let go!
I hope your weekend is filled with rich blessings!
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
A Break In The Clouds
As you can tell, we've been in a slump lately. Not much happening means there's not a lot to blog about.
I did go down to the beach the other day. There was a break in the rain and I was desperate to get outside! I can tell I've been a little depressed lately, too much rain. Too much gray. Way too much.
The mountains were gorgeous. Seattle has had so much rain this winter but it sure brings a lot of snow to the mountains!
Sharaya moved a couple weeks ago and her new place is gorgeous! I'll post more about that later. Here she's putting up her new TV mount.
Diana recently started a new job with much better pay! It's gonna be so much better for her and allow her to get her own place and just have more freedom to do things.
Next Tuesday Beth and Nick are going to see the new Beauty and the Beast movie and they're both SO excited!
I hope you're having a wonderful week!
Thursday, March 2, 2017
"Wish You Were Here!"
Beth and I joined Nicks family to celebrate his birthday last week. She is so in love that with guy, he's all she really talks about. I never thought Beth would have a boyfriend, she was 30 when they started dating and I figured she would be single the rest of her life. But now she has a significant other and they would get married tomorrow if we let them!
I caught Beth putting on her 'face mask' the other day. For years she watched Diana do it but we never really showed her exactly what it was. Then Diana moved out and I begin to see Beth putting thick soap on her face and I realized she was imitating Diana and putting on her own face mask. It's kind of cute.
Beth sent me a text while she was at her art class yesterday and asked if we could go shopping when she got home. Wednesdays are her long days and sometimes she doesn't get home until after 6:00 so I was trying to figure out what we could have for dinner that would be quick and easy and decided to go out to eat instead.
One of her favorite places is Denny's and there's one right by our house so after we did our shopping (she needed more paper) we stopped for dinner. And of course as soon as we sat down she got out her phone and texted Nick. "I wish you were here!"
That girl is SO in love.
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