A Voice (plus the Giveaway Winners)

Much of my time lately has been consumed with thoughts of Eslea and the kind of future she is facing.

This week I have been reminded that I must not read comments on certain articles that relate to Down syndrome. I have to remind myself that people are fueled by things such as hate and ignorance.

It seems that the need to ensure our community of designer gene HUMAN BEINGS have a voice is becoming greater. Thanks to technology, we have a way to share that voice world wide. I am so thankful to those that choose to do so through outlets such as blogging, tweeting, and utilizing facebook.

68.
That's the number of bloggers we had link up to participate in Hoppin' for 21 blog hop.
We had over 7000 views between all the different sites in just one day. The blog with the most views from the hop was Our Cora Bean with 88 hits in one day. The smallest number of views for any one blog was twenty. Twenty! That is still a wonderfully high number. So people, I do not know how many visitors left comments on your site but I do know they were visiting.

That is amazing to me considering the short amount of time we had to get the hop information out to everyone. Some of those bloggers were not from special needs blogs. How wonderful is that?
Because as much as I love to read and met other members of our very special club, we can not possibly change the world unless those outside of our community take an interest also.

We need to grow. We need to spread as far as we can and to whomever we can reach.

March 21, 2012 is World Down Syndrome Day. I hope you will all join us on that day for another awareness hop.
That is, of course, unless....
anyone would be interested in a monthly hop?
What if we have a Hoppin' for 21 blog hop on the 21st of every month?
That's twelve chances a year for us meet more members of our club.
Twelve chances a year to reach outside our community and share with others.
We will also have a hop on World Down Syndrome Day in addition to our monthly hops, but I will do something extra special for that hop. A hop extravaganza if you will.
So, who's up for a monthly hop?


Now onto the Giveaway winners!
Thank you to the Down Syndrome Association of South Georgia for donating the $10 Target giftcard for the Hoppin' for 21 Facebook Event. The randomly chosen winner of that gift card is Penny Putman.

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Hoppin' for 21 blog hop! I think it was a great success and I hope you do too. I could not get to everyone in two days so I am still visiting. I hope you are too. You can scroll down to view the list of blogs again.

A special thanks to the DSA of South Georgia, again, for donating a $10 Walmart giftgard for the blog hop giveaway.
The randomly selected winner of that card goes to linked blogger #66: Ramblings and Reflections.

The final giveaway is the super cute Lily Bloom bag donated by Ross Department Store. It  goes to linked blogger #9: My Stubborn Little Miss.

Congratulations to both bloggers. Please email me your details to info@crazybeautifullove.com and those will be in the mail heading your way soon.

Here are the blog links again for those who are still hoppin' around....I know I am.

How Many Shots Does it Take....? (Day 13)

Day 13: How many shots does it take...?

How many shots does it take to get one decent group picture from our Buddy Walk?

Well...let's get an expert on board and see...

Hmmm, One...

Uh Two...

Ahhh Three...

Uh Four...

Um Five..

Aaaa Six...

Ding! Ding! Ding!
We have a winner. Six!
Six shots is how long it took to get just one decent group shot.
Whoop!

Now, for those playing along... candy to the person who can find Juicey in the last picture. (Juicey is the boy who walked away in shots 2&3.)

Ah. Good times.

Don't forget about the blog hop on the 21st! I should have the linky ready tomorrow or Saturday for you to start hooking up to! Whoo hoo.
I will be thinking about those of  you heading out to your own Buddy Walk this weekend.
Happy Thursday!
-erin

A Quick Thanks! (Day 12)

Thank you to Moody AFB's 820th Combat Operation Squadron Booster Club!
They raised almost $140 for the Down Syndrome Association of South Georgia.

This is such a big deal as we are in the need of informational materials and other supplies for parents in our area with newly diagnosed designer gene babies.
This money will go a long way and we are so very grateful.
Thanks to Arlene Christmas that headed the fundraising.

Why would they do that for us you ask? Well, beside the fact that it's a great cause and all our kiddos are stinkin' cute....
they did it in honor of Renee.

Renee is the daughter of Emily and Todge Smith. They are one of the seven original families that formed our DS group. Unfortunately, the family will be leaving us soon as they have been reassigned to Nebraska.
(Every time I say or write that a little high-pitched voice in my head goes..."Nebraska?!?")

Want to learn more about beautiful Renee and her parents?
Come back on Friday where Emily will have a guest post on my blog.
I should also have the Blog Hop linky up and ready to go!

Again, Thank you so very much to the 820th Combat Operation Squadron Booster Club. Every bit of money raised for our DS group helps to promote diversity and awareness for all people!!

Love!

I'll be back tomorrow as I continue on this 31 for 21 campaign.
-erin

Buddy Walk 2011

Day 10: Buddy Walk 2011

Saturday started as any other in this house with mama gettting very little sleep since I was awaken several times to my one year old crying out for milk and love and attention. Exhausted is how I felt and any activity that would occupy my day did not seem appealing.
That was until  I remembered that it was Buddy Walk day!
The first of what I hope will be many, many more for this family. A day to celebrate that extra chromosome our sweet Eslea was blessed to carry. Knowing what was to come even made the hour and half drive to get to the Walk totally worth it.
Many friendly faces participated from our local Down Syndrome group, seven familes to be exact. That made almost forty walkers total. Each of us grateful for the opportunity to show off the loving support of our group and most importantly our beautiful kids.

There were so many of us to gather together in one spot and yet somehow we managed to start that walk. Of course, it was only after the very tempting distractions of booths filled with things like games, dancing and even massages.

Eventually, we did start the walk although the very back of the pack become our favorite place to stay. It would be just like our group to be easily distracted by the local cop giving out "badges".

But once we began the walk of that scenic mile, we made sure to enjoy the surroundings and each other....while also taking time to thank those that were there to support our kids.

Many of our kids started strong during the walk but seemed to tire quickly.While there were others that saved their strength so they could finish strong. A few even managed to accomplish personal triumphs that deserved our cheers and applause as we were overcome with pride for our chromosome rockin' family members.

By the end, the energy was slowing down and walkers were looking for a place to sit...or even ways to hitch a ride to avoid any more walking at all.

The end result? Tired and grumpy kiddos. Smiling and happy parents. All of us grateful to again show off our beautiful families and enjoy our fellowship time with each other.



Looking forward to reading about the Buddy Walk in your area.

I know this is one mama who is already planning for next year's event!

Happy Walkin' everyone.

-erin



Thank You (Day 8)

Day 8: Thank You

Today was the Buddy Walk for our area. Today was a good day.

Our first experience with this annual event that helps raise money for awareness as part of the National Down Syndrome Society..was wonderful. I already can not wait until next year.

Thank you to everyone that helped support Eslea and our group. I am so very proud to be a mom to a princess that rocks designer genes. Also ever so proud to be part of a wonderful group of families that loves each others' kids without hesitation and enjoys showing off that extra chromosome whenever we have the chance.

It was a beautiful and fulfilling day but also a very long one. It is getting late so more to come tomorrow.
Happy Saturday everyone!
-erin

Yet Another...Ain't too Proud to Beg Post (Day 6)

Sometimes a cause or topic is important enough that you will keep bringing it up and even ask your friends to pass on the information....this is one of those posts. Just so ya know.

The day Eslea was born, I was overwhelmed. The feeling of not being able to control your life takes over and you wonder if you will ever get back on track again. Finally the day comes where the dust settles and you realize that your life track has changed leaving you more in control then you ever were before.
Having a child with special needs does this. It forces you to be the captain, the pilot, the leader, the advocate and even the voice for your child.

I have had many opportunities to advocate for Eslea and will continue to do so. Much greater is the chance we are given to make a difference for everyone with designer genes. Every time I advocate for Eslea, I'm also working to spread diversity and tolerance for ALL.
Almost every parent of a special needs child does this. What we also count on is for our friends...like you...to help us reach others. By supporting our efforts and passing on our endeavors you can help make a difference too.

On to the point of my post....

Day 6: Ain't too Proud to Beg

I am asking you again to please support Down Syndrome Awareness month by taking part in the Buddy Walk this Saturday. On October 8th, the Down Syndrome Association of South Georgia will be walking to raise money for Down Syndrome Awareness. The Buddy Walk was started by the National Down Syndrome Society and is celebrated all over the country. Eslea gets to be a part of this event and she will walk crawl her little heart out to raise money for this cause.
Our local DS group will be walking under the name Titletown Tots. The groups goal was to raise $500 and we have exceeded that goal. As a matter of fact, we are so very close to doubling that amount.
I am begging you (Ain't to Proud to Beg...remember?) to consider donating at least $5 to support Eslea at this year's walk. You can go here and pick the amount you want to give. Any amount makes a difference!

Thanks again to everyone that has given so far. Because of you $462 has been raised so far to support Eslea at the walk!! Whoop!
But we can do better my friends. So dig down into your pockets and use that $5 you have saved for a latte to support a worthy cause instead.
Just in case you need a reminder of who you are doing this for....
.....one big almond eyed beauty...

....and her extra chromosome rockin' friends.

Collection of the DSA of S.GA founding member's kiddos. Can you spot buggie and her big blue eyes?

We were not able to attend last year's walk so the excitement of the "first time" is creeping up. Emma is asking questions daily and mostly I answer with "we'll have to wait and see" because it's my first time too. While our DS family was Buddy Walkin' last year, we were just entering into the world of Down syndrome. Eslea's story was just beginning and a walk for Down syndrome awareness was not even a flicker of light in the darkness of our minds.
Fortunately, our new family (joined by that extra chromosome) was walking for awareness. They even took the pictures to prove it. My friends Donna and Emily have graciously let me use some of their pictures from last year's walk to share with you.
The 2010 Buddy Walk in Tallahassee...

Scrolling through the pictures from last year just makes me more motivated.

Buddy Walk...get ready...Eslea bug is comin' and she is ready to walk crawl...baby drool and all.

Yes, this is one of her birthday pictures. I promise to post more pics soon. Swear.

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Hoppin'...

Don't forget there is going to be a blog hop on the 21st to raise awareness for Down syndrome. The hop will be open to everyone who has a blog that wants to support the cause. The only thing you need is a blog and the heart to pass on awareness. The "rules" are easy peezy and there will even be a few give-aways for hop participants. Plus it's a great group of co-hosts that you'll love to meet. The first confirmed co-host is Becca over at The Bates Motel. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, head on over. Her beautiful pictures of designer gene sportin' Sammie with her Rapunzel-like hair will make you want to attend the Buddy Walk yourself. Which you can do by the way...just sayin'.

If you are interested in Hoppin' for 21 on the 21st, details to be posted early next week including the sign-up linky. You can also find me on facebook if you would like me to send you an invite for the event.

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Postin'
Tomorrow I will have another guest blogger. Donna Johnson is one of our co-founders of the DSA of South Georgia and she blogs over at Loving Life. So come on back tomorrow and meet someone new.

It's getting late and there is so much to do tomorrow to get ready for the walk. Well, maybe there is not THAT much to do...but sleep is necessary. Oh so very very necessary.

Happy Thursday. See you tomorrow.
-erin