Welcome to my blog! I started this blog to share our journey as a homeschooling family and as a parent of a child with Down syndrome. It has been a journey filled with much joy, love and laughter - living, loving and learning together.
I've been married 20+ years to a wonderful man who loves and cherishes our relationship and our family. He is bivocational - clergy/emergency medical professional. Most importantly, he is the love of my life and my greatest supporter.
I am an RN by training. I've worked in many specialties but the ER was my favorite place to work. I love caring for people of all ages. I am now 'retired' (still keep my license active) - no longer saving lives but nurturing souls.
I've given birth to three beautiful girls. The oldest, Michelle, was born with a fatal heart defect. I was blessed with her for 5 1/2 wonderful years. A time marred by painful procedures and surgeries. I am forever grateful for the time we had together, too short but full of lessons on the real meaning of life and God's saving grace.
Kiera is daughter #2 though she only knows life as the oldest. She was born after Michelle's passing to her heavenly home. She is academically gifted and grateful for the opportunities she has been given during her homeschooling years. She is off to college in the fall to major in biology in hopes of pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine.
Our youngest, Reagan, was born with Down syndrome. She is growing into a lovely, well-mannered young lady. Reagan has always been homeschooled - never to see the inside of a government school. Our goal is to teach her how to function in real life - not the artificial environment found in public schools. She is healthy, active and has many more friends than her mother will ever know.
Over 90% of children diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome are terminated. It grieves me greatly that so many perceive life with Down syndrome as a burden to be tossed away. Reagan has changed so many lives with her earthly ministry. If you know Reagan, you know her joy. She finds joy everywhere and exuberantly shares it with others. Her joy is contagious and has brought healing to others. What a gift to the world!
There is also the child I only knew as she grew inside of me. I miscarried at 10 weeks and know we will know each other in heaven.
Our homeschooling journey hasn't always been easy but the tough times were only little bumps on the path. Now that we have graduated Kiera from our homeschool, I can see that it was worth all the effort. Recently, she told me she wants to be a homeschooling mother too!
Thanks for vising my little corner of the blogosphere. I hope you will leave me a note to say you were here!
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An added note: Since I began this blog, I have written an e-book, Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome. I published it on Scribd but some have had difficulty downloading it at that site so I'll embed it here.
Homeschooling Children with Down Syndrome
