From LOST to LOVED, watch the transformation in our beautiful Alina in just four short months...
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All Feeling Better
12 years ago
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Lisa and Bridget
For more on Bridget and our family, please visit our website (click on above photo), which provides an overview of Bridget's first year, and includes more specific information on Bridget's development as well as product recommendations and a special section for parents with a new diagnosis.
A Beautiful Life
--Our First Two Years with Bridget
Bridget, from two to three
Our Adoption Montage
Welcome
For those of you already following us, Bridget's Light and Loving Alina have merged :). For anyone who is new to our story, Welcome!
Bridget and Alina are the youngest of our six children. Bridget (born July, 2006) is our biological daughter. Alina (born March, 2007, and adopted into our family April, 2010) is the daughter of our hearts. Both girls have Down syndrome.
Feel free to browse this blog at your leisure, to comment or to email us. We're are happy to answer questions or provide more detail to others who are interested in learning more about life with Down syndrome, or about our International Adoption experience.
Bridget and Alina are the youngest of our six children. Bridget (born July, 2006) is our biological daughter. Alina (born March, 2007, and adopted into our family April, 2010) is the daughter of our hearts. Both girls have Down syndrome.
Feel free to browse this blog at your leisure, to comment or to email us. We're are happy to answer questions or provide more detail to others who are interested in learning more about life with Down syndrome, or about our International Adoption experience.
questions or comments?
Living in the Light
I've replayed the day Bridget was born a million times...and I hate saying (and remembering) that the day was filled with sadness and uncertainty. It makes me mad--though I'm not sure at exactly who or what--that we wasted that day being somber when we should have been celebrating. I feel sad for the kids, for Chris and for me, and for our extended family and friends who were worried--heart heavy--for us. If we knew then what we know now, we would have been celebrating. The little girl that arrived in our lives that Sunday in July was the best thing that ever happened to us.
She is everything that is good about Life.
I've re-written the moments in my mind to go something like this:
We were just beginning.
A beautiful life awaited us--
and it was far more beautiful
than we'd imagined.
It is the day we got her;
the day that everything came together.
It is the day we began living in the light...
She is everything that is good about Life.
I've re-written the moments in my mind to go something like this:
We were just beginning.
A beautiful life awaited us--
and it was far more beautiful
than we'd imagined.
It is the day we got her;
the day that everything came together.
It is the day we began living in the light...
New Down Syndrome Diagnosis--Resources
As seen in Gifts 2
Lisa and Bridget
Read Our Chapter Here
Please Also Visit Bridget's Website
For more on Bridget and our family, please visit our website (click on above photo), which provides an overview of Bridget's first year, and includes more specific information on Bridget's development as well as product recommendations and a special section for parents with a new diagnosis.
Important Posts
- Living in the Light, Explained
- Bridget's Light (Gifts 2)
- Introduction & Welcome
- Expecting (Our Story--Part I)
- Bridget’s Arrival & Diagnosis (Our Story--Part II)
- Sharing the News (Our Story--Part III)
- Coming Home (Our Story--Part V)
- Hospital Stay/Learning to Eat (Our Story--Part IV)
- Family Picture
- Family Picture, Part II--The Unfolding
- Owning It
- Living in a World of Possibility
- Bring an Open Heart and Mind
- Thankful
- From Fear to Awe
- From Fear to Awe, Part II
- Left With Love
- I Wish I Would Have Known
- Mission Statement for Bridget's Services
Photo Montage
A Year in the Life (Sunshine Girl)
Bridget, from two to three
An Orphan No More
Our Adoption Montage
Take Your Coat Off & Stay Awhile...
If you visit our house, you are welcome to kick your shoes off by the front door, or leave them on--whichever is most comfortable for you. The same applies when you visit here.
You should feel free to stop by often or sporadically. Leave comments whenever you'd like, but don't feel obligated (I'll always answer questions or entertain topics for new posts. Just email me or leave a comment if there's something you'd like me to address or know. And I'll keep writing even if everyone out there is silent...but if everyone out there leaves feedback, I'll have much more to write about!)
If you knock on my door and I'm in my pj's, I may or may not answer (I always assume it's the Fed Ex guy, anyway). But that is part of the beauty of blogland...you can pop in here, without warning, at any time day or night. You can slip quietly away, or take up residence. Since there's no chance of waking a sleeping baby--or encountering unflushed toilets--you can also go anywhere you please on this blog at your leisure.
This is all to say that however you got here, and whatever shape you came in, I'm glad you stopped by. Feel free to stay awhile and look around...
You should feel free to stop by often or sporadically. Leave comments whenever you'd like, but don't feel obligated (I'll always answer questions or entertain topics for new posts. Just email me or leave a comment if there's something you'd like me to address or know. And I'll keep writing even if everyone out there is silent...but if everyone out there leaves feedback, I'll have much more to write about!)
If you knock on my door and I'm in my pj's, I may or may not answer (I always assume it's the Fed Ex guy, anyway). But that is part of the beauty of blogland...you can pop in here, without warning, at any time day or night. You can slip quietly away, or take up residence. Since there's no chance of waking a sleeping baby--or encountering unflushed toilets--you can also go anywhere you please on this blog at your leisure.
This is all to say that however you got here, and whatever shape you came in, I'm glad you stopped by. Feel free to stay awhile and look around...
Labels
- A Bright Future (168)
- A Bright Future. Giveaway (4)
- Adoption (114)
- Advocacy (113)
- Alina (103)
- Background (25)
- Background (Our Story) (22)
- Beautiful Bridget (225)
- Bigger Picture (138)
- Bridget (40)
- Buddy Walk (23)
- CODSS (2)
- Daily Life (253)
- Development (95)
- Disability (171)
- Down syndrome (398)
- Down Syndrome Awareness Month (62)
- DSACO (17)
- Hope (52)
- IEP (12)
- Introduction (2)
- Just a Thought (80)
- Light (67)
- Myth Busters (29)
- New Ds Diagnosis (108)
- Nothing to do with Down syndrome (32)
- Photos (40)
- Poems (2)
- Potty Training (12)
- Preschool (36)
- Quotes (4)
- Reece's Rainbow (15)
- Services (22)
- Siblings (115)
- Sign Language (4)
- Speech (5)
- Status Update (40)
- tips (4)
- traveling (10)
- Ukraine (29)
About Me
Followers
You can choose
...to worry about everything, second-guess every decision you make, compare your life to the lives of others or to the life you thought you'd have.
Or, you can choose to embrace your life, whatever choices you've made and whatever has come to you by chance.
You can make the choice to be grateful, and hopeful, and to live a life filled with love.
Or, you can choose to embrace your life, whatever choices you've made and whatever has come to you by chance.
You can make the choice to be grateful, and hopeful, and to live a life filled with love.
While some people will make assumptions and predictions about what children with Down syndrome are capable of accomplishing or how they might be limited in life, it is impossible to predict the future for any child in terms of health, achievement or ability.
All children deserve and need love, attention, guidance and nurturing. All children benefit from a loving, accepting, encouraging, stimulating and positive home environment.
There's no telling what our children will accomplish, and what they will be happy doing.
With our guidance, attention and love, the world is full of possibility--for them, and for us.
All children deserve and need love, attention, guidance and nurturing. All children benefit from a loving, accepting, encouraging, stimulating and positive home environment.
There's no telling what our children will accomplish, and what they will be happy doing.
With our guidance, attention and love, the world is full of possibility--for them, and for us.
Local T21 Friends
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A Fresh Start14 years ago
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We’ve Moved….14 years ago
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Other Places I visit
- 5 Reasons I Smile
- Alexandra Rose
- Archie's Room
- Audrey & Stella's Playground
- Band of Angels
- Bill and Ria (Matthew)
- Blessings from Aubrey
- Bloom
- Brennan's Beginnings
- Conny Wenk & Juliana
- Dan Drinker
- Days with Dylan & Laurie
- Down Syndrome New Mama
- Down Town DS
- Down With Oz (Ozzie)
- Ella Grace with the Pretty Face
- Emma Sage
- Enjoy the Journey
- Enjoying the Small Things (Nella)
- Feisty Kaelyn
- Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords (Robert Rummel-Hudson & Schuyler)
- Finnian's Journey
- Genetially Enhanced (Sheridan)
- Gifts
- Giggles and Scribbles (Justin)
- Hannah's Shenanigans
- I Don't Know What To Say (Abby)
- Larkin's Place
- Learning as I go (Rylee)
- Life As We Know it
- Life Decanted
- Life with Bubba, Chicky & Nika
- Life With my Special K's (Kennedy & Kellsey)
- Lila's Miracle Life
- Little Miss E
- Little Miss Magic (Maren)
- Little Wonders (Zoey)
- Livia the Great
- Love for Colin
- Love Notes to My Family (Jack)
- Malakai Stow
- Monkey Musings (John Michael)
- Mothering by the Seat of My Pants (John)
- Mundo Bean (Lucas)
- Narrow Ridge (Ian)
- Not That You Asked (Jude)
- One Day at a Time
- One More, More Than One (Malea)
- Our Bundle of Joy (Joey)
- Our Life with Emmie
- Our Unexpected Journey (Bennett)
- Pinwheels (Jennifer Graf Groneberg & Avery)
- Prince Vince
- Quinn's Crusaders
- Raising Reid
- Reimer Reason (Kellen)
- Ruby's Life
- Sara's Feeding & Speech Thoughts
- Sarah--Class of 2008
- Small Swift Birds --formerly I Never Thought...(Evan)
- Speak Softly...
- Stumbo Family Story (Nichole)
- Ten Squares, Three Squiggles (Caden)
- The Bates Motel (Sammi)
- The Flege Farm (Mayson)
- The Seal Bark (Morgan)
- The Tao of Tulips
- Three Little Birds
- Three Little Butterflies
- Three's a Charm (Joaquin)
- To The Max
- TPFFDSBB
- Unringing the Bell (Georgia)
- Where There's a Will
- World of Possibility (Candee Basford & Katie)
- Yo Mamma Mamma (Violette)
- Zip - Perdue - Dee - Dah (Kira)
The Bigger Picture
This page is not just about Down syndrome; it's about acceptance--of circumstances, of self and of others. It's about embracing Life and understanding that while we can't control everything that happens, we can choose to see the goodness nonetheless...
A Beautiful Life
(A Poem for Bridget by Mom)
Look at me
Loving Life
Laughing
Watching
Becoming
See what
I can do and
All I am
Look closely…
Through the soft focus of my life
frame by frame
You’ll see the essence of things
I see the world
in its most perfect state
I see the good in things
and in people
I see a world
of Joy, Hope
and Infinite Possibility
See me for who I am
Deliberate, sweet and true
I am beautiful
I am strong
I am happy
I am loved
I live a Beautiful Life
I am
A Beautiful Life
Look at me
Loving Life
Laughing
Watching
Becoming
See what
I can do and
All I am
Look closely…
Through the soft focus of my life
frame by frame
You’ll see the essence of things
I see the world
in its most perfect state
I see the good in things
and in people
I see a world
of Joy, Hope
and Infinite Possibility
See me for who I am
Deliberate, sweet and true
I am beautiful
I am strong
I am happy
I am loved
I live a Beautiful Life
I am
A Beautiful Life
In the right light,
things glisten, glow, sparkle—
appear extraordinary.
Light is simple, basic, necessary. Light is comfort; it is a guide;
it is a metaphor for happiness,
for knowledge, and for clarity.
It is a symbol of enlightenment
and of promise.
Oh Lisa-
ReplyDeleteI wept. I was happy, I was sad, happy and sad... Another little free sweetheart. All the familiar surroundings, I felt like I was there. And then I want to BE there. Not a day goes by that I don't analyze in my head (oh, maybe 5,6,7, or 10 times a day) whether or not we can/will do it again. My heart has room for a good 10 or even 100 of these sweeties, but I struggle to be sure that everyone's needs are met. I hope another is in our future. I keep trying to toss it back in God's court. I can only hope that if He doesn't call us to adopt again, that he takes the anguish of the desire away.
Where did you get that music? That was amazing. Russian I would guess? Any idea of the words?
I am so glad to see Alina doing so well. Thanks for the video. It does my heart good. If I would have Alina in front of me I would give her the biggest hug and kisses. Could you give her one for me?
Blessings!
Lisa, This is so moving.....I shed tears watching it. Tears of joy for Alina, tears of sadness for those left behind. God bless you & your beautiful family.
ReplyDeletelisa, i tried so hard not to cry watching this--that lasted about all of 10 seconds. by the end, i was bawling. you have a beautiful family and i mean that with every single ounce of my being. love to all of you, from the jupin family!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for sharing this! The pictures tell the amazing story so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteGretchen, the music is from the lullaby CD we bought for Alina before we realized that Russian was what she heard most often :).
ReplyDeleteI have no clue what they are saying :), but isn't it pretty?
(It plays most afternoons while the girls nap. They love it. I ordered it from Amazon, but I don't know that is available there any more.)
It is: Kolysanki - Ukrainian Lullabies. I used tracks 1 and 3. (The middle song in the montage is one of the piano instrumental choices on One True Media, called "Later Than You Think".)
1. Над Колискою
2. Later Than You Think (Solo Piano)
3. Ой, Спи Дитя
I felt the same way making the montage as people will feel watching it...happy, then sad, then happy, then sad. I can't believe how much Alina has changed, and how different she is from the few pictures we saw of her before we left for Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteThe adoption process is grueling at times, but it was all worth it. She is worth it. We would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
I'd go back for 100 more if I thought we could manage. The pull is so very strong when you understand the great need, as well as the worth of the treasures hidden away.
If people take anything away from this video, I hope they will see the enormous potential and value in the children (and people) others feel are somehow "worth less" than the rest of us.
Alina has enriched our lives beyond measure.
Thanks to all for following, for watching and for all the love and support!
Beautiful...made me cry.
ReplyDeleteI watched this earlier today and it stayed with me all day.....the music, it was hauntingly beautiful and just draws you into another world. A world that is etched into my soul!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece of memories...
so very beautiful. i don't personally know you or your family, but from following your story i guess i feel that i do in a way. i am just so happy for all of you, especially for adorable alina! :)
ReplyDeletep.s. i also love the music! i need to get together with my russian friend and ask for translation. i wouldn't mind buying this for myself, it's so beautiful!
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful! Loved seeing her leave forever.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job. So happy she has a family. She looks like such a treasure!!
"Hauntingly beautiful"...says Jodi. That was it...hence the happy, sad, happy, sad......
ReplyDeleteThis was an amazingly beautiful video. Thank you for sharing! The love that is so apparent is beyond words. Thank you again!!!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. I cried watching it. You are all amazing.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. I have a cousin with DS, I wish everyone could just see how amazing these kids truly are, and how children with special needs are special people and a gift from God.
Bless you and your family, love this.
That was so very moving. She is beautiful and I can see her 'come to life' over the past four months. I cried, I smiled, I prayed.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful.
thanks for sharing this... sending love over the sea!
ReplyDeleteThis is another mazing story and testimonial to how powerful it is to have a life of hope and a loving family. Alina's story has further inspired me to adopt once out of university. Thank you so much. God Bless you Alina and your family!
ReplyDeleteThis was amazing to watch as I'm sure it was equally amazing to make! Seeing the transformation in Alina brings me to tears. She is being blessed by your family and I'm sure is a continual blessing to your family! Our kids and extended family members will never be the same because of our adoption experiences! I'm just so thankful that I got to journey along with you--you were definitely one of the refreshing oasis' in the grueling adoption process desert!
ReplyDeleteAmazing...Alina's so beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteI felt so many emotions watching this. I have wanted to adopt for a long time now and I pray that my husband will find it in his heart to do the same. I have a five year old daughter with down syndrome and a 16 year old foster son with down syndrome plus 4 more amazing kids. you did a wonderful job on that video what a great way to advocate for these kids I don't know how anyone could watch that without being touched by it in some way.
ReplyDeleteLisa- this video is so awesome : ) you are very blessed with a wonderful family!! Alina is so lucky and thank God for you & your family-- can't wait to keep watching for updated video's and pictures : )
ReplyDelete