WOW

I honestly didn't know what else to title this post. So I went with WOW. Here is why. I'm in somewhat a state of shock, mixed with a little bit of heart ache, and pity. But thankfully that fun little treat is topped off with a huge helping of "thank God", education, and love. Let me explain...

I was just following another blog that I haven't looked at in a while. She started talking about the importance of this Sunday. Not really thinking much of it, I kept reading about how much love and joy she has and she will have all of her friends and family with her to celebrate with her on Sunday. Then she said what this Sunday is...World Down Syndrome Day! What? How did I miss that? Jake was around this time last year, how did I not know about WDSD? Granted I didn't know anything about DS before Jake, but surely I should have known about this...why didn't I? Think Julie, think...AHHHH...

On March 21, 2009 (WDSD) Jake was admitted into Kadlec hospital with pneumonia. Two days later he stopped breathing in my arms, was intubated, and flown to Seattle Children's hospital.

That may explain why I didn't remember WDSD. I had other things on my mind. LOL. But not this year. This year we will celebrate! We will celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness, we will celebrate a love so incredibly different that we have ever know, we will celebrate knowing and accepting something new, we will celebrate Jake and all of our new friends! There will be a PARTY! LOL...yes another party. It may not be a huge party, but we will party! NO, there will not be cake...but there will be DS Awareness ribbon cookies!! We (my family) will all be wearing our Buddy Walk t shirts, and our blue "Jakey" bracelets...will you help promote DS Awareness? Even if it's wearing a blue and or yellow ribbon on your wrist, do something and send me a picture! Next week I'll post all the pictures I get!!

So here are the details of our "party"! Myself, Gracie, & Jake (Zach has to work) will be down at Howard Amon Park by the playground at noon on Sunday with our lunches, DS Ribbon cookies, and most likely bubbles. If you would like to join us, please bring your lunch too! I am thinking we will have blue and yellow balloons that...may...oops...fly away at some point also! ;) We hope you can make it!!