“What are we going to do today?” is usually one of the first things out of my youngest son August’s mouth every morning. I know it is my fault. I am a planner and far too often set the tone of the day with a schedule. Already, he is most comfortable when he knows what…
A week in the life
What does a mother do in the week leading up to her 4-year-old daughter’s open-heart surgery? She spends a lot of time talking to the air. There is a constant string of dialogue in her mind, with God or anyone else up there who might be listening, about helping her to just do the next…
At the Starting Line
By Heather Honaker for the April 2022 issue of Little Rock Soiree magazine By all appearances Mason Gillespie is just like any other young adult. In reality, he’s extraordinary. Handsome with a quick sense of humor, strong work ethic and quest for learning, Mason is easy to admire. Like most outdoorsmen, he likes to hog…
High Dive
The first time I jumped off the high-dive in the deep end at the city pool, it was a big deal. This small-town, summer rite of passage separated the scaredy cat babies from the confident kids, and I was definitely a scaredy cat. My family didn’t get a membership to the community pool until I…
The Last Time
My husband asked me to go outside and look at the moon with him last night. Our oldest son got a telescope for Christmas last year and we like to set it up in the front yard and look up at the sky at night. Most nights when we have finished the bedtime rush with…
A Picture’s Worth
“Where is Gus?” Jack asked when he got in the car after school this week. “He’s home with your dad. Ellie and I just finished at her doctor’s appointment, and I didn’t have time to go get him before it was time to pick you up from school,” I said. He looked over the edge…
Buddy Breathing
“Is ‘nasty’ a cuss word?” Jack asked me right when he got in the car one time after his day in kindergarten. “A cuss word? Who has been talking to you about cuss words?” I asked confused because I don’t know that we have ever really talked about “cuss words” at home. I mean, the…
World Down Syndrome Day 3.21.22
The way you are different might be the difference that makes the world a better place. #worlddownsyndromeday #inclusionmatters #rockyoursocks #homieswithextrachromies#downsyndrome #ardownsyndrome
The Morning Grind
Getting my children, my husband and myself out the door on weekday mornings is not my greatest gift. The person I am in those few hours is absolutely not my best self. I may be doing the next right thing, but I am not very nice about it. Every week night, I go to…
Cool like Elwie
I took Ellie to the eye doctor last week. Well, Ellie and Gus. They both got to go because the ice in Arkansas closed their schools. My husband was in court, so I loaded up my two emotionally unstable Tasmanian devils who only want to “do it myself, Mama” and off we went to terrorize…
typically not typical 