The Flege Farm

On March 21st we will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.  This day always lands on the 21st due to the date 3-21.   This correlates with Down Syndrome and the trisomy of the 21st chromosome!
Down Syndrome is apart of our life now.  Not that it never was, since  Cousin Shelly too has Down Syndrome. Its always been apart of my life.  But in a different way. I was the cousin and now I am the PARENT....... I am now responsible for advocating and making this girl of mine the best she can be.
I am so lucky to have Shelly as my cousin.   He is such an inspiration.  His love for God is overflowing and is infectious.  He lives on his own, has a job, rides his bike EVERYWHERE, fights illness like a bulldog, and is gentle and kind.  My memories of having sleep overs with him, playing at Grandma and Grampa's farm, swimming in the pool, birthday parties, easter egg hunts and playing house is something I treasure.  Not just anyone gets to be as lucky as me to have an opportunity to grow up with someone with Down Syndrome before you have your own child with Down Syndrome.  He lead the path for me......

Shelly age 5 in the back of my mom and dads truck!

Shelly at my first birthday party ha!

Shelly and Mayson

Shelly and I

OH and the friends I have met...  Amazing friends that have become like family.  My second family.  How lucky am I to have TWO loving families to be apart of?  Not everyone gets that either!

Mayson and her friend Bella.

Just a small portion of my second family-IDSC get together

 My girl has amazed me in so many ways.  I just stare at her each night while I put her to bed and try to take as much of her in as I can.  I wish there was more of her in me and in all of us really...

So Today I am CELEBRATING LIFE....PRECIOUS LIFE... Ones that I am so lucky to have been blessed with.  Some people get it, and some don't.  The ones that dont, well, they are missing out BIG TIME!

I will leave you with this Video.... Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

All Jayden does is eat, sleep,and poop fishing.....here are his catches from the last two days... Fish fry anyone?????

This month has been a month full of Down Syndrome for me.... in a good way.  I think a lot of people think of Down Sydnrome with a negative perception so I wanted to make sure you all knew for me, its positive!

This month started out with a family get away at the Wisconsin Dells to see our IDSC family.  The International Down Syndrome Coalition has become a big part of our Down Syndrome Journey.  They believe all life is precious!  Remember this picture of our Mayson??   The IDSC posted this and this thing went VIRAL.....what a great way to advocate !!!

I was lucky enough to be a IDSC coordinator for the event. What a wonderful experience getting to meet so many great families that share the same special tie...  Cant wait for next year!

March 6th was a big day for us as well.   The day to SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD!  Our family is asking everyone to go HERE and pledge that you are DONE using that nasty nasty word! Our little Mayson understands way more than you think.   NO MATTER HOW YOU USE THE WORD, she will get it....she will understand the meaning.....it will hurt her.  So just don't use it and go pledge!


On March 21st we will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.  This day always lands on the 21st due to the date 3-21.   This correlates with Down Syndrome and the trisomy of the 21st chromosome! Just a great day to celebrate that we have Mayson and cousin Shelly in our lives!  Not everyone is as lucky as us to be doubly blessed as we are!

What will you do to help celebrate and advocate ?  

Facebook and I have a love hate relationship.  I love being able to connect to all my friends, family, 2nd family, see all their posts, pictures, their latest updates....  its awesome.  But it has totally made me neglect my blogging.  I HATE that I havent blogged since this summer..  Really Amy???  You suck!!....

Here is hoping I can get back into the swing of things!