Ivy’s Health Journey – Part 1

I haven’t been very good about updating the blog over the past couple of months! My goal is to chronicle our experience having a child with Down syndrome. The past several months since Ivy’s birth has been a big learning curve for me, trying to balance being a mom of three, working full time, and…

Down Syndrome Awareness Month… Why?

I’ve been wanting to write this post for awhile, but as is usual for me, I struggled putting words to my thoughts! Part of why I struggle to write, is that there are so many ways my brain wants to go and I have trouble figuring out how to organize it all! Please bear with me…

My Story

I am one of those people who had her life planned out at age ten. Become a teacher, get married, have kids. And life pretty much followed. I went to Hope College, became a teacher in Allendale, married Sam, and had two kids – Zoe and Eli. Last summer, Sam and I decided it was…

Birth Story – Part 2

“For you created my inmost being;  you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 Ivy came with one push at 1:19 pm on July 5th, 2018. She cried immediately and was able to be put right on my chest. After…

How are you doing?

“God when You choose to leave mountains unmovable… Give me the strength to be able to say it is well with my soul. I know you’re able and I know you can, save through the fire with your mighty hand but even if you don’t, my hope is you alone. I know the sorrow and…