Happy Birthday!

Okay, so this post has nothing to do with Down Syndrome or the 31 for 21 Campaign but it does have to do with the love of my life. Today is his birthday and I wanted to take a minute to let him know how much he means to me and our family. It's his 34th birthday so I am going to list 34 things I love about him.

1. His Smile
2. His Laugh
3. His Companionship
4. His Hard Work
5. The way he loves his family
6. The way he loves us unconditionally
7. His Patience
8. His Sense of Humor
9. The way he makes me feel
10. The loyal friend he is
11. He's my best friend
12. He eats whatever I cook : )
13. He always empties the trash even though he hates it
14. The way he interacts with our children (even the one who's not born yet)
15. The way he get out of bed everyday and goes to work because he wants the best for his family
16. How he tells me he loves me all the time
17. That he lets me wear his shoes around the house
18. The way he still makes my heart flutter
19. The way he calls me throughout the day to see "how everythings going"
20. He's sentimental
21. He's understanding
22. The way he still always holds my hand
23. How he will run to the grocery store in the morning because I need more milk to finish breakfast
24. That he fixes things for me
25. That he carries heavy things for me
26. That his family is always on his mind
27. That he loves to spend all his time with us
28. He has strong family values
29. He has a strong work ethic
30. That he does all the voices when he reads to our kids
31. That he laughs hardest at his own jokes
32. He would sacrifice anything to give his family more
33. He's always happy to see us
34. That he is a fantastic father

I'm blessed to have you. I love you more and more everyday. You are the person who has made me a better person. I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you. I love you with all my heart.

Erica

T21 Traveling Afghan Project

I don't even remember how I heard about the T21 Traveling Afghan Project thinking back. It must have been threw another Blog that I read. Anyway, it's a great project by Chandos and she works very hard on it. It's a great way to unite families. This is a snippet of what she writes about the project -

"There is a very special blanket making it's way from one family to another all over the world. The common tie? Down syndrome. Each family who receives the afghan for one week has a member with T21. They get the blanket, take photos with their family and pass the blanket (and an accompanying journal) on to the next recipient. One blanket. Fifty US states. Many countries. Hundreds of families. One common thread!"

That's fantastic, isn't it?!?!

Also, here is a link that you can see to look at some of the pictures of the children and their families who have received the blankets.

Until Next Time!
Lots of Love,
Erica

College Bound

The Eastern Pennsylvania Down Syndrome Center has paired with East Stroudsburg University to create a special program for children with Down Syndrome. This year 6 of the center's kids were enrolled and they LOVE it! A big thank you to ESU for caring about our kids!

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica

Toy Guide

The 2010 Toys“R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids Has Arrived!

Toys“R”Us, Inc. has released the 2010 edition of the Toys“R”Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids®, an easy-to-use toy selection resource that can help parents of children with special needs select toys that develop skills through the power of play. This year, actress, author, philanthropist and mother of a son with autism, Holly Robinson Peete appears on the cover, along with Tommy Austing, a 5-year-old boy from Beverly Hills, CA. Last year, Whoopi Goldberg was featured on the cover.
All toys featured in the Guide are available at Toys“R”Us® stores nationwide and online. “Flippable” and downloadable digital versions in both English and Spanish are available here.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica

NDSS & Prudential

National Down Syndrome Society Joins Forces with Prudential
Alliance will aid families in planning for the financial future of loved ones with special needs

New York, NY - August 16th, 2010. The Prudential Insurance Company of America, based in Newark, NJ, will provide members of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) support in the area of financial literacy as a result of an agreement the two organizations announced today.

“We’re excited to work with Prudential to help people with Down syndrome and their families learn more about planning for their future financial needs,” said Jon Coleman, president of NDSS. “Both organizations have a vested interest in increasing awareness in this area as well as creating additional resources and opportunities for our members.”

Through the agreement, Prudential will host informational webinars and participate in local NDSS chapter activities including Buddy Walks. “Our involvement with NDSS reflects Prudential's commitment to serving the particular financial needs of growing diverse markets,” said Joan Cleveland, senior vice president, Business Development, Individual Life Insurance. "The work NDSS does is invaluable and we’re proud to leverage their extensive experience and join them as an advocate for the special needs community.”

Over the last year, a core team of Prudential and independent financial professionals located across the country have been trained to address the unique financial concerns of families caring for loved ones with special needs through the company’s program, Special Needs Solutions…For All Ages. Specifically, financial professionals in the program can help families:

• Understand how a special needs trust, a document prepared by an attorney with expertise in special needs law, protects an individual’s eligibility for government assistance such as Supplemental Security Income and/or Medicaid. Assets held by the trust for the benefit of someone with special needs should be used to supplement—not replace—government assistance.
• Select the proper insurance and financial products to help fund the special needs trust.

• Get started with a Letter of Intent, a non-binding document which states a family’s wishes for their loved one's future with regard to health issues, educational goals, housing, etc., and the means to support those wishes.

“We understand that providing financially for a family member with special needs isn't a simple task. That’s one of the reasons we’re focusing our efforts on supporting this community,” added Cleveland.

To date, over 140 Prudential and independent financial professionals have participated in the Special Needs Solutions…For All Ages program. After completing a comprehensive three-day training course, participants stay up-to-date on current issues through ongoing discussions. For additional information about Special Needs Solutions…For all ages or to locate a financial professional who specializes in servicing the special needs community visit www.prudential.com/specialneeds.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica

Apple Festival

On Saturday we went to the Apple Festival in Gettysburg. I didn't take any pictures there because it was pretty crowded. Afterwards we stopped at the Boyds Bear Factory. It's a big place and you could spend a lot of time looking around there. Isabella always likes the displays they have out front.

Raymond's surgery is tomorrow so I will post about that when I have a chance. We are heading down to the Ronald McDonald House today around lunchtime. In the meantime, I did schedule a post for Tuesday morning so that I can keep up with the 31 for 21 project. I will not be on the computer but as soon as I get a chance I'll let you know how Raymond is doing.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica

Sunday Night TV

This evening at 8:00pm EST, on ABC, Extreme Makeover Home Edition will be airing an episode about a family with 6 children, all who have Down Syndrome. I'll be watching...and crying no doubt. Watch the sneak peak here.

Until Next Time!

Lots of Love,

Erica