Christmas Caroling

A few months ago, my husband told the younger two kids that Santa would bring them a real dog if they started using the potty. A switch flipped in the youngest’s head and he has been diaper free – except for nap and bedtime – ever since. Ellie is still working on it, but is…

Them and Us

“We’ve got one of them at home,” a man I had never met told me while Ellie and I were waiting for a haircut one sunny afternoon. That, or a slight variation of that, is something I have heard many times. It is the honest truth when I say I can’t take Ellie anywhere without…

Below Average

At 3 a.m. about three weeks ago, I realized that my daughter, Ellie, is 4 years old. Next year she will be 5 years old. At 5 years old, she will be old enough to start kindergarten. I’ve been wondering how this happened ever since. “Sometimes I really don’t like being Ellie’s mom,” I said…

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…

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…

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

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…

Heart Hero: The Extraordinary Abby

I can’t stop thinking of Abby Ellis this week.

Pulling it all together

I pulled my life together enough to mail Christmas cards this year. A Black Friday deal in my email inbox caught me at just the right moment, and I was able to make it happen for the first time in my whole life. I forced the kids to get dressed for a picture – what…