Power of Inclusion

High School Rallies Behind Homecoming Queen - NBC29



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Meet Lauren Johnson in the story above. Her Momma, Gena, worked with Mike many years ago at Orange County High School. Her step-father, Dr. Larry was our beloved doctor who came to the hospital to visit us when David was born. Lauren attends Orange County High School and was named Homecoming Queen over the weekend. We have such fond memories of our old community and it comes to no surprise to us that Lauren was honored in such a special way.

I remember after Dr. Larry's coworker came and told us the diagnosis of Down Syndrome, I looked at Mike and said "I want Larry here." He faithfully came and visited with us for hours as he held my precious bundle and answered EVERY question we had-even the hard ones. He helped us on many levels because he and Gena have Lauren at home. I will allow the article to tell you more about Lauren, but she is someone that once you meet her, you will never forget her:)

I could go on and on about sweet Lauren, but what this situation tells me is that INCLUSION WORKS! If Lauren was not included with her sweet high school friends, then this would have never happened because they would not have known her as well. This works, because Lauren has been with her peers since she entered school and everyone loves her. They also did not do this out of pity for the "poor special ed girl" but they felt that she was truly the queen.

Can I tell you as a special needs parent that has a lifetime of school ahead for David that my heart swells when I hear this. I know the road for David will not always be smooth, but with inclusion in our schools, positive experiences such as what Lauren encountered are going to happen more and more and everyone will be better off because of it. My fingers are flying over the keys this morning because my heart is so steadfast that this is what is best for our kids-all of them.

Read and enjoy Lauren's sweet story. I feel honored that I spent many years with her and her sweet family in Orange, Virginia. I have no doubt that at the dance that night she was truly Queen of the Ball!"

Not Me Monday!

This past week and weekend have been full of activities and fun! But there are always those moments that happened that all I can fairly say is "Not me!"

I did NOT skip out early on a field trip because I was so thirsty and hungry. The other responsible chaperone Moms had packed their lunch but nope, Not Me! I somehow forgot that I needed a lunch also and was so hungry and thirsty by lunchtime that I skipped out early to get a Tea and a sandwich at the nearby McDonalds! I was so thirsty that even the kids juice boxes looked good to me:)

I did NOT blow off a social opportunity for my children this weekend so we could spend a family day together. I have personally had a wake up call regarding how fast my children are growing up and I needed a day with just us:)

I did NOT tear up (in a good way) when Kyle was invited to the movies with a girl this past weekend. He had already planned to go to the football game with his Daddy, but this movie invite came along, and he dropped his Daddy like a hot potato!!:)

I did NOT feel guilty for not volunteering at my boys' school for a special day last week.

I did NOT throw recycling away deep in our trash can so tree hugger hubbie would not find it. I had already taken the recycling out and I was too lazy for one more trip for an empty can of beans. It is hard being a tree huggers wife:)

That is all I am willing to admit to on this Monday-how about you??

Rolling Babies and a busy week

This has been such a fun, but busy week. Today we hosted some of the family over for a Hokie tailgate to listen to the Duke game. I love having the family over-my 90 year old great aunt cracks me up! Tonight we are going to a Christian worship event here in town called Encounter and I know it will be awesome:) Here is my kitchen all decorated for fall and the tailgate today:)

Here is David playing football outside with Kyle. I am so impressed with his creativity. He wanted to wear shoulder pads, so he went into the garage and came out with these arm floaties for swimming for his shoulder pads!! HA!

Hope is such a happy baby these days and here she is sitting on my grandmother's lap smiling:)

the big news in our house is that Hope rolled by herself from her belly to her back today!! The boys have worked so hard with her and they were thrilled with her accomplishment! In the picture below, Hope had to stop halfway over and chew on her hands.
This week Hope and I went on a field trip with Kyle's class to the settler's Museum not far from us. It was neat to visit the school house and learn about school 100 years ago. It was chilly that morning and we all about froze to death!

Kyle sewing his own bean bag at the Settler's Museum. Hope was all bundled up for the field trip and stayed warm in my sling

David also got to go to the pumpkin patch this week with his class and here he is modeling his pumpkin shirt that he painted. He had fun, but Mommy did not get to go with him.