Wow!  Time goes so fast.  Our little Jacob will be 3 in a few short weeks!!!

What a whirlwind the last 3 years have been.  Who knew “an extra chromosome full of love” would teach us so much about life – unconditional love, not to take things for granted & appreciate the simple things in life.

Look at our big boy!!  He has been staying healthy (knock on wood) – the vest therapy is really working & we have avoided a hospital stay for almost a year now.  We are praying for a healthy upcoming winter.

I have to give major props to his teacher Miss Affton – she absolutely rocks!  This gal has opened her heart to Jacob & has been so beneficial to his success.  Jacob has been going to a daycare since Feb. 2015.  Oh my goodness we are amazed at how good it has been for him!!  (of course sometimes he will have his moments but overall he is making great progress)  Every morning Jacob is excited to go to school.  When we say its time to go to school buddy he smiles & runs straight for the door.  Excellent teachers make a world of a difference – we are blessed to have Affton & her team (Jocelyn, Chris, Kim, Michelle & Maggie).  We are looking forward to the upcoming year to see Jacob continue to grow.

IN OTHER NEWS:

To help celebrate Down syndrome Awareness Month we wanted to share with you a new 501c3 non-profit organization that has come to Northeast Iowa.  The organization is called FIRE Foundation of Northeast Iowa.  The mission is to provide children with special needs the opportunity for an inclusive Catholic education.
www.firefoundationneiowa.org

Happy Down syndrome Awareness Month! – Love – the Schmitz Family

Words from Hayden’s Mom
Hayden’s project has been so touching & powerful.   Her project actually brings me to tears – happy tears.  I can not believe the amount of positive support, encouraging notes & comments she has received!  We are very proud of her,  she has been a busy young lady.

A couple of weeks after she started her project I went on the Down Syndrome International page which is organization based in the United Kingdom.  For the last 11 years Down Syndrome International has stated March 21st (3.21)
as World Down Syndrome Day.

This year their theme is:
“My Friends, My Community” – The benefits of inclusive environments for today’s
children and tomorrow’s adults

Jacob is only 2 & I have seen major benefits of him being in inclusive environments.  He learns so much from his peers & siblings – its beautiful to see!  To see our friends (even from around the world) & community participate in her project just melts my heart.

Thank you to all those that supported her project – she has learned a lot!  For those that ordered enjoy your World Down Syndrome Day keepsakes. If you still want to purchase items we will be taking orders through March 11.  We want to make sure we get them delivered by March 21st :).  We still have a drawing coming so be on the look out for butterfly charms in the orders.  (let me know if you received one)

See below on project details.

Project Recap

As of March 1, 2016 she has raised $696.00 from products sold & extra cash donations. 

1/2 of the proceeds will be donated to Designer Genes & the other 1/2 will be donated to HADSA (Hawkeye Area Down Syndrome Association).  These two organizations are located in Northeast & Eastern Iowa.  The groups provide education, support & advocacy to those individuals, their friends, families & professionals that are blessed by Down syndrome.

************
(Bruce helped Hayden put together the graphs below)

54 Bracelets, 56 Necklaces & 89 Key Chains Purchased as of 3.1.16.

Orders from the Following States:
Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida

Orders from the Following Countries: 
Germany, Brazil & China

Lessons Learned from the Project:

Organizational skills, money counting, chart making, teamwork, patience, depositing money in the bank, the gift of giving, time management, plus much more!

Project Pictures:

Happy World Down Syndrome Day (3.21) from the Schmitz Family!

2015 World Down Syndrome Day “Random Acts of Kindness” Project

2014 World Down Syndrome Day “Lots of Socks” Project

We are getting ready to celebrate this year’s World Down Syndrome Day on March 21 (3.21).  Each year our family does some type of activity to celebrate.

In 2016 our activity has been organized by Hayden!

This project idea started when Hayden came to me and said “Mom I made you a bookmark, now pay me $1.00 for it and I will give you a quarter back.”  At first I thought wow maybe she going to be a successful salesperson or entrepreneur one day and make lots of money so Bruce & I don’t have to finance her forever!

I asked her what she was going to do with her money if I bought a bookmark.  She said, going to spend it at the store.   I said – why don’t you sell your bookmarks & donate your money?   She didn’t really understand what or why one would donate money.  We have talked to her about saving money but not much about donating.  Bruce and I explained that a donation is a gift from your heart and your gift in turn will benefit others 🙂

I am so proud of Miss Hayden for taking the ball and running with this project.  She has been making the items, organizing and strategizing.  She even has her own store setup at home!

Here are the details:

• All product materials have been donated by the Brawner Family! Thank you!  So all proceeds will be donated.
• All proceeds of the project will be donated to our local Down Syndrome organizations.
  • Designer Genes
  • HADSA (Hawkeye Area Down Syndrome Association)
• Everything’s in 3’s
  • March 21^st (3.21) is the 3^rd month on the 21^st day of the year. People with Down syndrome have 3 copies of the 21^st chromosome that is why March 21^st was selected as World Down Syndrome Day.
  • We have 3 items for sale – a necklace, a bracelet & a key chain.
  • There are 3 specialty beads on each item in the colors of the Down Syndrome Awareness Ribbon – Royal Blue & Gold.
  • Items are $3.00 each.
• Items will be available for purchase now till March 21^st (3.21) which is World Down Syndrome Day.
• With your purchase you receive a FREE bookmark from Hayden!
• Let myself or Hayden know if you would like to place an order.

Previous World Down Syndrome Day Schmitz family activities include:

2015 “Random Acts of Kindness”  

2014 “Lots of Socks”

Awhile back I thought about writing a blog about People-First Language.  I hesitated doing it because I didn’t want others to feel uncomfortable talking to me about Jacob
and / or Down syndrome.

I recently toured a school where a child with Down syndrome happen to drop something and then the Special Education teacher said, “oh that’s my little Down’s boy, he is sweet”. (EEEEKKKKK!!!) That’s when I realized some people don’t understand the People-First Language Concept – hence the reason for this blog.

Prior to Jacob coming into our life I had NO IDEA what the heck People-First Language was.  I am sure others are in the same boat & feel the same as I did.  Heck I am still learning myself 🙂

Since Jacob has been born I have heard some doctors, nurses, friends, family, etc. refer to those with Down syndrome as “a Down’s kid” or “he has Down’s” or “he was Down”.  Every time hear these phrases it’s like nails scratching a chalk board to me.

So what is People-First Language?
(BTW not a fan of the word disability, I would prefer to say the persons different ability.)

People-First Language respectfully puts the person before their different ability. By placing the person first, the different ability is no longer the primary.

It eliminates generalizations and stereotypes, by focusing on the person.

Examples of Using People First Language:

Maria uses a wheelchair

Ryan receives special education services

“a man walks with crutches,” not” he is crippled.”

Accessible (vs. handicapped) parking, bathrooms, etc.

Please be so kind to consider incorporating People-First Language into your vocabulary.  

Jacob –
Happy Birthday!  I can’t you are 2 today!!! I remember vividly taking this picture just minutes after you were born.  Your dad & I fell in love with you instantly!

Buddy you give your mama a run for her money sometimes (just like your brother & sissy).  I remember going into your birth having a 3 page memo to all the family on what items needed to be done and when in order to be fully prepared for you coming home & the holidays.  Well after 48 hours of your birth I ripped that memo to shreds!  I ripped it up because of anger & frustration that my “perfect plan” wasn’t coming together.

Little did I know at the time the “perfect plan” was a bundle of joy in my arms – you little Jacob.

Jacob you amaze us everyday and we are so proud of you!  Keep up the good work!  I always tell your siblings use their manners, never give up & always do your best – same goes for you Mr. Jacob 🙂

Here is to a healthy, happy & fantastic year of being 2!  We love you so very much!

Love Always,
– Mom

I am writing this blog as I have officially hit “hospital drain out mood” (lack of sleep, the stress of having a sick kiddo & feeling sad about not all being home together as a family).  Mr. Jacob has decided to catch pneumonia right before Thanksgiving this year.  I don’t know what it is about him & holidays – he always seems to get sick on holidays – booo!

I need to readjust my mind set & come back to positive thinking!  Thanksgiving is 1 day away & I have so much to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving is an act of giving thanks; it is an expression of gratitude, especially to God.

I have been thinking back over the last 10 years and what a whirlwind it has been.  10 years ago today on Thanksgiving Day Bruce asked me to marry him.  We were living in Phoenix at the time & he invited my parents down for a surprise visit.  At Thanksgiving dinner, right as I was digging into the mashed potatoes, he asked, “Erin, will you marry me?”  My response, “Are you serious? Of course, I will marry you!”

I love this guy to pieces.  We are both strong willed and butt heads often but I sure do adore the guy!!!

Here we are today, living in Iowa with our family close by & raising 3 adorable children. I am thankful for my husband, my parents & in-laws, having a home full of laughter, supportive friends & family, my faith, & the list goes on.

I am especially thankful for all of my children – Hayden, JD & Jacob.  When we received the birth diagnosis that Jacob has Down syndrome our world had been rocked with emotions.  At the time of the birth diagnosis I didn’t realize what an amazing blessing God had delivered to us.  Each child is a blessing, Jacob happen to come with an Extra Chromosome Full of Love.  Jacob has a pure & beautiful soul with a smile that shines bright.  He teaches us valuable life lessons such as patients, acceptance of others, to be strong, to stop and smell the roses, & to appreciate the simple things in life.

It is beautiful to see the connection between Hayden, JD & Jacob.  Little do they know every day they are practicing inclusion, this makes me so proud.  Thanksgiving is about being thankful, helping others & inviting others to celebrate with you (just as the Pilgrims included the Native Americans) In other words Thanksgiving is about inclusion.  Inclusion is where everyone belongs & abilities are celebrated.  i am so thankful for our support system (family, friends, daycare, future school, church, etc)  the people part of our support system have opened their hearts to Jacob, included him and I am so thankful for that  – I am optimistic about the future 🙂

Have a blessed thanksgiving.