Wednesdays....

Ever since my childhood, Wednesdays have been a crazy day.  I have vivid memories from my elementary school days of going to school, then piano lessons afterwards, home for supper and then off to church for Wednesday night activities.  I also have memories of sitting in the church foyer doing my homework while my parents were in choir practice.  They were crazy days, but I do look back on them fondly.  Except for maybe the piano lessons but that is mostly because I never really practiced as much as I probably should have. 

The Wednesday craziness has followed me into adulthood.  Currently on Wednesdays, Kyla has preschool in the morning, Ashlyn has two therapy appointments and the whole family is at church on Wednesday nights....I am passing it on to the next generation and really I wouldn't want it any other way.  Who knows....there could even be Wednesday piano lessons in our future.

Troy and I don't really see each other on Wednesdays until at the end of the day when it is all done.  He stays at church through supper on those days because he teaches a class on Wednesday evenings.  So, we are usually at the kitchen table on Wednesday evenings at about 9:00 p.m. having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Last Wednesday, however, Kyla and I were out in the backyard enjoying a beautiful day while Ashlyn was napping and all of a sudden I saw Troy coming around the corner.  He hugged us and said since we don't see each other very much on Wednesdays he wanted to come home for just a few minutes to see us.  Made our day!  And I should interject here that buying a house 30 seconds from the church was the best decision we ever made.  And marrying Troy Hochstetler was the best decision I ever made,  for moments just like this......

Enjoying a nice day out on a blanket in the backyard

A few minutes with Daddy on a Wednesday......blessed.

Happy girl

This Wednesday is an especially crazy one because in a few hours I will getting on a plane to fly to Kansas City to be with my sister who is getting married this Saturday!!!  Different Wednesday craziness, but in a wonderful way.  And, next Wednesday, I will be back at the kitchen table with my husband at 9:00 p.m. talking about our days.  Truly, it is a great life.  Happy Wednesday!

Sisters

Most mornings I get Ashlyn out of bed first because, bless her heart, she wakes up earlier than Kyla.  It takes Kyla and I a little longer to get going.  Anyway, almost every morning after we have some hugs and kisses she says, "Sissy."  She can't wait to see Kyla. And if I tell her that Kyla is still asleep she whispers, "Sissy sleeping."  And then once Kyla is awake the hugs and giggling start. 

I am sure there will be days in years to come when Kyla will wonder why her sister has Down Syndrome and nobody else's does.  I know there will be times when it will take extra patience.  But the bond they are forming right now and the love that is there, makes the future seem nothing but bright.  I love these girls so much and they love each other. 

First thing in the morning (jammies and bed head), time to play "kitchen"

 Game time

My favorite.....playing babies together

This sums it all up. Ashlyn was having a hard day.  I turned on a little Sesame Street and they watched it together.....holding hands.

For all of the tears that I cried, worrying that their relationship would be so different, I am learning that it is more special than I could have dreamed.
 

Let's Take a Walk

After Ashlyn was born someone made the comment to me that my world just got bigger.  What they meant was that because of Ashlyn we would meet people and welcome people into our lives that we never would have otherwise.  It has proven to be so true.  In many ways, I feel like we have welcomed a whole community into our lives.  Whenever I see someone with Down Syndrome, I feel this warmth in my heart toward them.  I accept them and love them because in some way they are a part of me because they share in the specialness of our girl.  Without a doubt our world has gotten much bigger and we are so excited to celebrate this community that has stolen our hearts. 

This year, our family is celebrating our daughter by walking in the Down Syndrome Indiana Buddy Walk. It’s a one day event designed to increase awareness about children like Ashlyn. If you’re reading this, you’re invited to walk with us that day. Ashlyn was blessed to be born into an incredibly loving community of family and friends. We’d love for nothing more than for that community of love and support to be present for Ashlyn. She’d love it too (and probably give you a hug). You’re also invited to donate on Ashlyn’s behalf to Down Syndrome Indiana.

To register to walk with us, to donate, or to learn more, please visit our Page.

Thanks for your love for Ashlyn and your support of people blessed with an extra chromosome.

Preschool days

Kyla started preschool this week.  This is her second and last year of preschool.  I wasn't really feeling too emotional about it until about two days before.  I was sad that the summer was coming to an end and that our schedule would be getting fuller.  Also, it started hitting me that with her gone on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings I probably won't go grocery shopping with her along as much and she won't be around for as many of Ashlyn's therapy appointments.  I am just so used to her always being with us.  The good thing is that Ashlyn and I will have more one on one time and preschool is so great for Kyla.

The night before it started I could tell Kyla was a little nervous about it.  She said she was afraid to meet new kids.  We kept assuring her that she would have a great time and prayed lots of prayers with her about it.  This is reflective of her personality at this point....she is shy and reserved at first and it takes her a little bit to feel comfortable sometimes.  She ended up having a great first day.  As soon as we picked her up she said, "Guess what!  I love my teacher!"  She was all smiles and kept telling me that it was a good day. 

 Ready for school

Little sister wanted to be part of the action

Picture on the stairs.....looking big

Ready to send her off

Showing her name at her seat

Chatting with some of the girls in her class as they arrived

All smiles at pick up time

 Sisters reunited

I so love the preschool days and so much of me wishes they could last longer.  We will soak it up while they are here.  As I recently heard a mom of young children say, "Our job is to raise our children, not maintain them."  So, we will keep growing, but for now, I am thankful we have a year of preschool ahead of us.

Wild ball of joy

The other morning after both girls were up and we were about to head downstairs for breakfast, we were in Ashlyn's room all laughing and being silly.  Kyla said to Ashlyn, "Ash, you are a wild ball of joy!".  I have no idea why she thought to phrase it that way, but when she said it, I immediately agreed with her.  Yes, Ashlyn is a wild ball of joy! 

I will always remember the tears I cried at the beginning of her life.  I know why I cried those tears, it was a shock beyond what I can explain that had lifelong implications.  I remember as those tears at the beginning were falling, I really wondered how much joy there would be.  Little did I know, I was holding joy itself.  Ashlyn herself is joy and the joy that her life brings to our home is something I never saw coming.  She waves at everyone, laughs all the time, dances anytime music is on, claps when we sing and gives hugs away freely.  This is not to say she doesn't have moments of tears and frustration.....she is a two year old after all.  But, she is without a doubt a wild ball of joy and this is what she is up to these days......

Gaining more independence using a spoon and fork on her own -

Obsessed with washing her hands - She will go into the bathroom, climb up the little stool in front of the sink and yell out, "Wash!" until you either redirect her to something else or let her wash her hands. 

In love with her big sister - These two girls have a blast together and the love is so mutual between them.

I love this picture.....they were looking at a book together and I noticed them holding hands.  I had to sneak a picture.

Time for hair salon.  This is one of Kyla's favorite things to do right now and Ashlyn is a very willing customer.

And it all leads to lots of laughing....

 In love with daddy  - Here she is with daddy after a wedding where he officiated.  I was worried about her being quiet during the ceremony because I knew when she saw her love up there she was going to call out his name or want to run to him.  I was able to subdue her in the back row, close to an exit with quiet singing in her ear. 

Sometimes the greater the tears, the deeper the joy.  Wild ball of joy.....we wouldn't trade her for anything.