"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

I See Your True Colors

A few years ago Ryan put these colorful magnetic tubes in each of our bedroom floors.  We all thought at different times that he had just left toys lying around the house (which is usually the way things go around here!)  But this time, EVERY time we picked them up and put them back in his room. they magically showed back up in our bedroom floors (over and over and over again.) :o)

This past summer I was having a conversation with Ryan as we were folding laundry. Ryan's conversations are not really conversations more like I ask a question and get yes no answers or one or two word answers. Oh how I have wished and prayed for his speech and ability to tell me things to become clear, understandable and easy for him! 

 I know all in the Lords time! :)

    Anyway, we were folding something red, when he said "Red like Mom."  Something clicked, as if I was just given a clue to something I hadn't understood or better yet, given an incredible gift to understand something my son wanted to share with me. 

We had been looking at these magnetic tubes lying in each of our floors for so long, and not understanding why or what they were for.  So in wonderment I  asked him what color is Dad?  and he told me "Dad, green" and Abby? (his sister) "Abby yellow" so I asked what color are you Ryan? He told me he was blue.  (Suddenly, I think I understood!  All of the family colors connected,   We are all together in each of our bedrooms! WOW! )  

 This became amazing to me, and as the summer went on he pointed out others that hold special places in his heart and the colors he seems them as.   His sisters best friend, who has been apart of his life since he could remember, she is purple.  His friend from school who is a typical peer (and is an amazing friend to Ry) he is orange. 

I mentioned this to a friend who's daughter also has Down Syndrome and she said that her daughter does the same thing with colors!  So now I am  wondering if any of you have this same story!?  Does your child/children see your true colors?

Can't wait to hear from you!  

It's More Ups Than Downs

"It's More Ups than Downs," is a book of inspirational stories from families who have a child or loved one who also happens to have Down Syndrome. These families share the fears they had originally, but most importantly they share how those fears were put to rest and they see the blessings they have been given. This book came together out of the author's desire to reach those entering this journey and those giving the diagnosis to new parents to remember, these children are special in their abilities.

Purchase here

Relaxed at the Cardiologist (FINALLY)

I know first hand how hard it is to take your babies to the cardiologist!  When they are little ones, the anxiety and fear for parents of just being there is enough to pull you under!  Then add to that your precious child is crying, squirming and just hard to keep still during the echocardiogram, and you are ready to roll up into a ball in a corner somewhere and just cry!

I remember those days like they were yesterday.  I remember trying to hold him still and keep him from ripping those stickies off  praying "Lord just help me get through this, please let his heart be ok, help me to be strong and not break down and cry right here, right now!"  I also remember being completely and totally exhausted while we were there! It is not just a 1/2 hour appointment, you know you are there for at LEAST 2 hours, if not more!

So for all of you out there going through this, take heart it does get easier!! Ryan is 13, he had open heart surgery at 3 months old weighing only 8lbs (the exact same weight as his birth weight).  We  had to go back to the cardiologist every year right after the surgery and then it turned into every couple of years and this appointment is to make sure that when puberty hits (AND IT HAS, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER BLOG ALL BY ITSELF LOL) his heart is able to take the growth and not cause damage to the valve created by Dr. Mee.  Well I'm thrilled to say that his heart is GREAT and they don't want to see him for 3 years (so we have added an extra year on to his check ups YAHOO!!) BUT, just as important, is the fact that this time he laid there the entire time and watched Monsters Inc.  He was relaxed and cooperative, and I think at one point he could have fallen asleep right there on the bed!  Even the little stickies on his belly and chest did not bother him one bit!

I didn't think this would ever happen back when he was a toddler, but it did and it does!!  Thank you Lord for your goodness!

It Is More UPS Than DOWNS!


Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Thank you Lord for Ryan's life!

You can purchase the book It's More Ups Than Downs at www.halopublishing.com

It's Always More UPS Than DOWNS

This is my very first blog EVER.  I thought it would help promote my book "It's More UPS than DOWNS and also give me a place to talk not only about Down Syndrome but life in general. 
I believe we can focus on the UPS or DOWNS of life.  I want to really try and focus on the UPS. 

The Lions Uniontown Festival is going on this week. 

 This is our local community festival held right before the kiddos head back to school (but that is another story all in-itself) . It is a great time to see people from the community, eat really yummy (and really bad for you) fair food and watch the kids run around, ride rides, hang out and just have fun!!  I have been going to this since I was in school. (We will just skip the part where I tell you how long ago that was LOL)  But, now my kids get to enjoy it!!  

Sometimes in life we have Down moments, and sometimes they sting a little, (ok a lot!)

This year at the festival it stung a bit as we entered a time of life where my 16 year old is running with her friends and or boyfriend and my son who is 13 and happens to have Down Syndrome doesn't have his sister to walk with or ride rides with.  He cannot  run around with all the independence that other boys his age are doing (not that Ryan even notices that part.)

It stung a bit to see these boys running around with each other, texting and just acting like 13 year old boys. Now mind you they all say Hi to Ryan and give him high fives!  Which is very sweet to see and makes my heart smile!  But, as he and I stood in line for the parachute ride I looked around and saw all of this happening.  I quietly said to God, this stings a little Lord, but I know that you know all of this and that your plan is better than mine.  We approached the ride and I tell the man running it Ryan is a single rider, but that I could ride with him if it would be ok (I had 0 tickets to give him by the way). He looked at me and very kindly said " you go ahead and ride with him" When Ry and I climbed in our seats he said to Ryan "always better when your ridin with you Mamma" Ryan smiled big and was ready to ride! (I felt a little joy spring up in my eyes at those sweet words). As we prepared for the ride to start, we took a few selfies the smile on Ryans face in the picture below says it all, and again I quietly said to God Thank you for the joy you bring and give. 

We finished our ride and headed to the next when a gentleman working the Skee ball game asked Ryan if he wanted to play for free!  So we stopped to play,  Ryan rolled the balls as fast as he could (and did really good at it to I might add) and the man kept saying WINNER, WINNER we have a WINNER (again, I thanked God for giving good!)  Ryan got to pick a prize and was very happy. While he was picking out the purple sword that makes him look like he is a Teenage Mutant Nija Turtle (at least that is what Ry said), the man asked "you know Jesus, don't you?"  With a look of you caught me totally off guard, my husband and I both said" YES"! "we know Jesus".  He smiled and said he's coming again!  I walked away again thanking the Lord for his goodness and that The UPS are so much better and bigger than the DOWNS!!!