Wordless Wednesday - Trepidation

And she ended up LOVING her first plane ride. For more on Wordless Wednesday, click here.

Please Pray for Parker...

Sweet Parker is in urgent need of prayers and support. Please visit here to see how you can help. We are keeping Parker and his family close to our hearts.

Wordless Wednesday - Life "IS" Good!

Elliot embodies this mantra each and every day! For more on Wordless Wednesday, click here.

I received a special award. Now, my turn to reciprocate.

Melissa at Banana Migraine has adorned me with the “Blogger Reflection Award” which “should make an individual reflect upon five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and who have provided a Godly example. In other words, five dear bloggers whom, when you reflect upon them, you are filled with a sense of pride and joy...of knowing them and being blessed by them.”

This is what she had to say about me: "Michelle at Elliot's Expeditions always has such beautiful photos of her two children. They clearly show the happiness and love that surrounds her family.”

I feel blessed that you thought of me Melissa. Many thanks!!

Here are my kudos to some special mommas (oh, and one cool daddy too):

Jessica at Raising Joey is, beyond doubt, an inspirational person. Her heartwarming posts and special photographs and videos exemplify her love for life and her adoration of beautiful boy, Joey. Jess is also a preggo momma like myself and we are due at nearly the same time. I wish her all the best in the next couple of months and thank her for being such a source of encouragement.

Emily at both Lovely and Amazing and Gabriel’s Heart is such a dear woman! She has been blessed to have two of the most awe inspiring children, dear baby Gabriel and Miss Emma Jayne. Each of her children possess their own exceptional set of special needs and her love for them exemplifies compassion and grace. Emily is the epitome of an angel. I must add that Emily is a superb writer. I am drawn to her blog!

Nicole at All 4 My Gals is so very full of life. Her Christian perspective is invigorating and she raises each of her beautiful daughters directed by God’s word. She prays fervently for all those in need and I do believe that God takes extra time to listen to her. I hope that I get the opportunity to meet Nicole in person someday.

Okay, I have to add a special dad to my list. Jeff at Big Dawg Tales is one heck of a daddy. His mission is to educate and he states that his dear boy, Nash, is his “hero.” And look out when it comes to people first and accurately appropriate language when speaking about those with special needs and/or disabilities. Jeff has it all right and I pity those who try to tell him otherwise! What more needs to be said. I do think that his wife, Jan, is a very special person as well. Nash is blessed to have such extraordinary parents.

Never can I give out an award without including Pam at Rhett’s Journey. Pam embodies loveliness and never has she put herself before ANYONE else. “Kiddos before momma” ought to be her mantra. To say that I am encouraged by Pam is an understatement. I love my friend, Pam and God’s grace shines through each of her children’s eyes.

Thanks for providing such inspiration. Following are the rules for you special moms and dad:

1. Copy this post.
2. Reflect on five bloggers and write a least a paragraph about each one.
3. Make sure you link this post so others can read it and the rules.
4. Leave your chosen bloggers a comment and let them know they’ve been given the award.
5. Place the award icon on your site.
   

Wordless Wednesday - Motion

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Detour for Down Syndrome!

Elliot’s daddy participated in the 5th annual Buddy “Ride” today to benefit our local Down syndrome organization. The event was really well attended and fun was had by all, particularly Elliot who sported his new “dew rag” given to him by grandma and grandpa. The local Ds group was present to send all of the Harley riders off in style.

Rockin’ Girl Blogger

Jessica at Raising Joey has been so kind as to honor me with the Rockin’ Girl Blogger Award. Wow; I am so flattered as I truly love her blog and her wonderful expression, eloquent writing style and faithful appreciation of the joy that is found in raising a child with Down syndrome. Her sweet little boy, Joey, is a beautiful child indeed! Jessica and I also have something else in common. We are both pregnant and due at nearly the same time. Here is what dear Jessica had to say about me. Again, I am grateful: “She always has the cutest pictures of Elliot & their family. And just the fact that we’re both pregnant and due about the same time makes her rock in my book!” Thanks again, Jessica!

The 5 bloggers I choose to “decorate” with the Rockin’ Girl Blogger Award are:

Amy at The Flege Farm. Amy and her daughter, Mayson, are, beyond doubt, an inspirational pair. Amy’s blog is chalk full of excitement and one can see the love she shares with her beautiful daughter, Mayson, as well as her other kiddos, as she continually captures the innocence of childhood with her wonderful photographs and stories.

Tammy at Praying for Parker. Sweet Parker is the biggest doll baby ever. He’s had a rough go of things as of late, and his momma, Tammy, has kept her chin up through it all. Tammy is a courageous woman who I admire greatly. As always, I pray for Parker.

Laura Q at Now I’m a Mom. Laura has recently started blogging and for this I am grateful. Laura finds the humor in just about anything and her witty style and her “mom’s eye viewpoints” are, unquestionably, hard to match. All three of her children, I must add, are lovely beyond words.

Pam at Rhett’s Journey. Although my dear friend, Pam, has just been honored with this award, I could not leave her out. Pam has the heart of an angel and her son, Rhett, is simply as joyful as toddlers come. Pam has much on her plate, and she handles each and every trial and tribulation that is handed to her with fortitude. Pam is a rock and I love her dearly!

Tara Marie at Emma Sage. You will find nothing but utter beauty on Tara Marie’s blog. Her photography and stunning artistic ability is unbelievable. She writes with such expression and shows her readers just how exquisite motherhood actually is. Emma Sage is a dear, dear girl and is genuinely blessed to have Tara Marie as her mother.

Rock on ladies!

Wordless Wednesday - Freedom

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More analogous than contrasting.

We all fall short of something in one way or another, in some task or another. We have to consider that there is someone greater than we are entirely, and He understands us and loves us all. I was pleased to see that our local children’s museum is helping children learn about disabilities in an effort to bridge the gap between typical kiddos and those with disabilities. They feature an exhibit geared toward helping all children learn the importance of accepting diversity within their peer groups. This was an unexpected surprise during our latest visit to the museum.