April 27, 2013 marks 3 years with a good, stable heart!  We are so thankful!! Taylor is well and strong, learning and growing so much.  Here she is running through these, once long hospital halls, to her cardiology appointment.  So grateful!!

Taylor had her annual heart echo earlier in April.  She's doing well.  Her left, mitral valve is still showing moderate leakage.  He's not too concerned for today, as it seems to be managing well with medicine and her size.  He did raise concern again though for the abnormality of this valve.  Due to how damaged it already is, it cannot be repaired.  There is no need for immediate action but he does want to see her again in 6 months.  Eventually she will need this valve replaced with a mechanical one.  He hopes to put this off as long as possible, as it can bring it's own challenges.  Time and growth will tell.   We will continue to trust the Lord with our little star.  Love, Erin

Our First Buddy Walk

Free E-Book - "Disability and the Sovereign Goodess of God"

Looks good.. Can't wait to be encouraged by it.  That verse out of John 9 brought us so much comfort and encouragement shortly after Tay was born.  God and His Word are proven faithful and true.  .. How I love our Lord

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/books/disability-and-the-sovereign-goodness-of-god

"One of the reasons I believe the Bible and love the Bible is because it deals with the hardest issues in life. It doesn’t sweep painful things under the rug — or complex things or confusing things or provoking things or shocking things or controversial things" (p. 7).

Does God have a good design in my disability?

To this hard question God is not silent. But if we're to hear his answer, we must submit our hearts to his word. Looking at what the Bible says is the aim of this collection of resources from pastor John Piper.

Look at all these amazing kiddos from our recent picnic!   We are so blessed to know these friends.

2 years with a good heart!   We are thankful to say Taylor's heart continues to remain stable and she is doing well.   She continues to be monitored every few months.   

We are grateful for those 2 month in the hospital with Taylor.   We only grew so much closer to God during that time.   We can "count it as joy"and "give thanks in the circumstance."   We know we will continue to learn this truth again as other types of trials come along.  The Lord is our sustainer.

"Consider what God has done:  Who can straighten what he has made crooked?  When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other." (Ecclesiastes)

Heart Surgury Journal Posts   (Two Years Ago Today)

My dear friend, Carri Roman, captured these precious pics of Taylor and her sisters. I love them so much. If you are looking for an amazing photographer to capture you kiddos, check her out! The girls had a so much fun and Carri does an awesome job keeping it real. www.carriroman.com or Facebook

Our Christmas Sugar Plums..

I am grateful to know these ladies. We all have one thing in common...

What a blessing it is to share and learn from each of them. I can't wait for the 2nd Tuesday of each month when we all have an opportunity to get together as families. (There are many other Mommies to be added here that are missing.)

So happy to be TWO today!!!

It's Down Syndrome Awareness Month
I love all wonderful posts I've been reading.  Aaron and I feel so blessed and summarize our life with Taylor with one word.. JOY.  Regardless of any physical delays, mental delays, heart concerns, extra appointments, ect.. all doesn't compare to who she is and all she brings to life. How I wish everyone could know.

We've been so blessed to know many wonderful families and parents who have a child with ds.  They are all celebrating this month too. What a gift they have been to our family. Many of them will be at the San Diego Buddy Walk this weekend in yellow and blue to celebrate.

Tay's buddy, Elias, shows us how it's done.

So "cheers' to the "joy" in down syndrome and all the very special kiddos in our lives. We praise God for you and the blessings you are!

This group is such a blessing to our family.

So thankful for freedom!

Wishin' my girls could have known my Grandad. Missin' him always..

Summer Fun Begins..

So thankful for life!

Our little Sugar Buns is working so hard and so close to crawling. She's so proud of herself and really gets where she wants to go, rolling and scooting along. It's only a matter of time before she has us on our toes ;).

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Mmm.. sand.

A first for our girl...Snow fun!

I met a new Mommy yesterday and her precious baby boy. He was born with down syndrome too. It was so awesome to listen to her story and hear her heart. She shared how difficult it was at his birth, not even wanting to hold him. Oh how quickly it changed. She is so nutts in love with her little guy and couldn't get enough of Taylor too, kissin' and lovin' on her. It's amazing to talk about how we've grown and the real joy God has given us. God is SO good. We found out we wanted what we didn't think we wanted.

PRAISING GOD FOR HIS PROVISION

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life...

Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your FAITHFULNESS continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures."

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

She's 1 and and so happy. What a blessing in our lives. God turned our sadness into gladness and we love her so much. This day is filled with joy and celebration!



























We've been working hard at learning to sit for her first birthday. She did it!




Thinking back a year ago today, I get all emotional. I'm lost for words. You never know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds the future. I can look back at the few pictures we had and smile. I think of all of those God brought around us and I love you all. Little did we need to worry.. I love today.