"Typical" Down Syndrome

I recently read somewhere that parenting a special needs child, is like parenting on steroids or extreme parenting!  This week I would have to say, no greater words have been spoken, LOL!  I can certainly say it has been a challenging week, to say the least.

There are times where I can tell when Ryan needs a chiropractic adjustment.  His personality becomes just slightly off!  Sometimes I can feel a ridge on the top of his head, or he may be more irritable than normal and when I take him to see his chiropractor, it generally is cranial work that needs done.  As soon as they begin to manipulate (and i have no idea if that is the correct terminology or not,:) the skull and release that tension, he lets his arms drop to the side and his eyes close and he says, in his precious deep little Down syndrome voice.. "ahh that better!" Then, ta dah, Ryan is back!

 Last week Ry had his braces tightened and that  means an adjustment is going to be needed in the near future but, this time they added rubber bands and I think it must have been harder on him.
His personality is WAY OFF, he is grumpy, gassy, irritable (sounds like a messed up version of the 7 dwarfs) and eating everything he can get his hands on including paper, (which he has not done since he was a toddler.)  Right now, he has two gears, slow and slower!  To say we have been butting heads would be an understatement!   He will eventually do what he is told, but not without letting me know he is deeply upset about it!!

Thank God, he has an appointment on Thursday and I CANNOT WAIT !!  BRING ON THURSDAY and BRING BACK MY "typical Down syndrome son" LOL,  How odd is that to say... Typical Down Syndrome?! hahah!!  But, even with his slightly off personality, he is still a smiling, loving boy, one whom I could not live without.  He lights up our lives! Even when he, or I happen to be having a rough few days.

One thing is certain, with all of this life stuff, I know that the Lord has this, he has us, and he is not surprised at the to the difficulty of what we are going through.   I keep having this song brought back to my heart this week, Hillsong's "Ocean".  Part of the chorus goes "So, I will call upon your name, and keep my eyes above the waves, when oceans rise my soul will rest in your embrace, for I am yours and your are mine" a beautiful reminder to keep our eyes on HIM!

 So with all of that, it goes to say... IT IS MORE UPS THAN DOWNS!!  I mean how can it not be!! Just look at that face!

For more information on our book "It's More Ups Than Downs" visit the link below

It's More Ups Than Downs

I Can Do All Things Through Him!

Just an average, ordinary Saturday here at the Troyer home!  

You know the kind, EVERYONE has to be at a DIFFERENT place, at a DIFFERENT time and you can only be in one of them!  Add in to that, what I like to call, "the little black rain cloud" aka depression and it was all I could do to leave the house! 

 I am thankful to say, my little black rain cloud does not last for long periods of time, but when it comes, WHOA!! It feel like it has moved in, changed the carpet, pained the walls and forwarded all of its mail deciding to call this place (this place being me) home!  UGH! 

BUT then there is this face!!! OH THIS FACE,  and what a smile!!! Every time he smiles, my heart smiles (take that, you little black rain cloud).

 He and I had to run a few errands this afternoon and one was looking for Sunday school materials for tomorrow.  While we were shopping, he found felt posters he wanted to color. He came right home (and yes put on his pj's, just like his mamma does :)  and sat in the floor to color.  He called me over when he was done "Mom wook" at that moment I was given a beautiful reminder by God!  "I can do Everything through HIM who gives me STRENGTH" Philippians 4:13.   So I say again, take that you little black rain cloud!!! 

For information on our book It's More Ups Than Downs visit the link below.

It's More Ups Than Downs