The End of the Challenge

I am proud to say that I have successfully completed the 31 for 21 challenge by posting every single day of the month of October, which is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. It's amazing how fast a month goes by these days!

To round up the month, I would like to take a minute for a few more special thank yous...

First, I must thank my little boy Colin for opening my eyes to a whole new world full of possibilities. There was a time when I used to think that everything must fall on a certain timeline. I thought that things had to go a certain way, the way they were supposed to, and if they deviated off that path, it wasn't a good thing. However, I am slowly learning through Colin that it is ok if things don't go exactly as planned and sometimes, it's worth the challenge. I am more in love with Colin than I ever thought possible and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead...I love you Colin!

Next, I would like to thank Chris...you often hear that families with a child with special needs have struggles because of the challenges that they face. More times that I would like to note, I have heard stories from families whose significant others left them after their child was born because they could not face the challenges that lie ahead with having a child with special needs. I am thankful because Colin has only made Chris and I stronger as a family. I am proud to say that since the beginning, Chris and I have always had something unique and special. We certainly faced a time after Colin's diagnosis where we didn't know what was yet to come and that made things difficult, however, instead of pulling apart, we pulled together and have built this family to be strong and optimistic about the future. In the past 18 months we have gone through a lot together, but each step of the way we have worked together to successfully accomplish it and move on. Thank you Chris for working so hard to give Colin and I everything we could ever want...your love.

Finally, I must thank our families and our friends. You have all supported us from day one and we couldn't ask for more loving and giving grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, old friends and new friends for Colin. Instead of backing away when Colin was born and his diagnosis was confirmed, you pushed forward so that we always knew and felt your unwavering support. We love you all and are so thankful to have you in our lives...we look forward to all that is yet to come...

We love you! xoxoxoxo