Tell us a little bit about you and your family… My name is Mallory Roberts and my daughter Ava has Down syndrome! We live in Central Kansas in the beautiful town of McPherson. Ava is 4 (almost 5) years old. She loves trips to the zoo, music and dancing, family time and spending time with her “friends” aka classmates. What’s the one word you would pick to describe Ava? Life-giving (does this count as one word? 😂) What do you want the world to know about Down syndrome? What has Ava taught you? That it is not scary or a burden – so don’t say you’re sorry for someone. My…
-
-
DSAM: Mama Jennifer & Nora
Tell us a little bit about you and your family… My name is Jennifer. Nora is 3 years old and the youngest of 3 girls! We live in the Chicago suburbs. We love to vacation as a family, go camping, go on walk and bike rides and have dance parties!! What’s the one word you would pick to describe Nora? Determined. What do you want the world to know about Down syndrome? What has Nora taught you? Down Syndrome is not scary. It’s not a life sentence of never being able to go do fun things as a family ever again, and it will not affect the other kids in…
-
DSAM: Mama Caroline & Bennett
Tell us a little bit about you and your family… Hi! My name is Caroline, I’m 32 years old and currently live in Minnesota with my husband and 2 kiddos – Bennett (2.5) and Ruby (10 months)! We also have a 4-year-old English Bulldog named Ziggy. We found out when I was 13 weeks pregnant that Bennett would be born with Ds and although it rocked our world, we didn’t realize how truly amazingly lucky we were about to become! What’s the one word you would pick to describe Bennett? It’s not one word but: full of life. What do you want the world to know about Down syndrome? What…
-
22 Fall Bucket List Ideas for Families
It’s officially the first day of fall – hooray! I can already taste the spiced cider, smell the cloves and orange mulling on the stove, hear the crunch of leaves as they fall on the grown, and feel the soft and cozy infinity scarf around my neck. Yep…I’m ready for you, fall. But what happens when the rest of your family doesn’t obsess over this new season like you do? How do you get them on board? Simple my friends. Simple. May I present to you….the 2019 Fall Bucket List. (hooray….cheers…applause…wahooooo) I thought of my favorite activities that help get me into the fall spirit (including the basics I listed…
-
Giving It a Shot: VLOGGING!
Hello Moonbeams! In case you don’t follow on social media, I wanted to share some exciting news about a new venture for Holding Moonbeams…. WE ARE VLOGGING! Since turning my social media focus toward blogging and intentional sharing about our lives as a special needs and blended family, I have really enjoyed connecting with our readers. Reading everyone’s comments makes the internet seem like a smaller place…and I love getting to know people (who I may never have otherwise met) through Instagram, Facebook, and through this blog! But one of my most favorite parts was using Instagram stories to give everyone a taste of life behind the scenes…life behind the…
-
41 Summer Activities For Toddlers in Chicago
It’s that time of year again…. The snow has finally melted. Target is pumped full of adorable aquatic accessories (hello donut shaped pool float) and bug spray. Art projects from the school year make their way home. And then the anxiety of what to do with your young children starts to creep under your skin as you panic….what am I going to do with them all day?! Yes my friends. Summer is here. But no need to worry…especially you local Chicagoland mamas…I see you ladies. And I have not one…not two…but 41 different activities for you to try with your kiddos this summer! Here’s how I went about this list….…
-
Book Review: Gnat & Corky Series
If there is one activity I have enjoyed most with Hudson since his birth, I’d have to pick reading. From his first few days on this earth as a newborn listening to the words in those fresh, unopened books….to the tears, bite marks, and stains on our durable board books of late….I love reading with my little guy. Last month, Orange Hat Publishing reached out to me about some books they have…one story, in particular, they thought resonated with my posts and what our family is all about – love and light! After reading these books, I knew I had to share them with you all. I love supporting amazing…
You May Also Like
Tip for Getting the Best Christmas Books
-
Disneyland: Hudson Frozen Show Reaction
This video needs a place to live FOREVER. My sweet boy absolutely adores Frozen. We went to Disneyland over spring break and he got to see the live-action theater version. The sights, the sounds, the bubble snow – all of it was so beautifully overwhelming for him that he was practically moved to tears.
-
2019: World Down Syndrome Day – Gratitude
When I was first told about Hudson’s possible diagnosis (which was confirmed via blood test several days later) of Down syndrome….I remember the fear and uncertainty that crippled my heart as I held my newborn baby. What would his life be like? How would people treat him? Would he go to school? Will he have friends? Will he ever find love? ⠀👶🏼⠀And then he looked up at me with those big blue/green eyes, and his soul locked onto mine. God whispered gently in my heart that He had it all figured out and I just needed to obediently follow and expect big things from this little man. Those fears melted…
-
Mama, I See You
Mama – I see you. ⠀You are seen. ⠀⠀Trying to run around after one or even multiple little people.⠀Feeding your family multiple meals per day…oh and don’t forget snacks. ⠀Turning the laundry from the washer to the dryer and then letting it sit there for 3 days. ⠀Working your 9-5 and just wanting a foot rub at the end of a long day. ⠀Taking a personal day to watch your sick child. ⠀Squeezing in even 10 minutes of exercise (sitting in child’s pose totally counts) to keep your heart healthy.⠀Saving those pennies wherever you can to take your family on vacation. ⠀Debating whether or not it’s okay to wear your…
