All the names I know from nurse:
Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse,
Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock,
And the Lady Hollyhock.
Fairy places, fairy things,
Fairy woods where the wild bee wings,
Tiny trees for tiny dames--
These must all be fairy names!
Tiny woods below whose boughs
Shady fairies weave a house;
Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme,
Where the braver fairies climb!
Fair are grown-up people's trees,
But the fairest woods are these;
Where, if I were not so tall,
I should live for good and all.

~ The Flowers
From Child's Garden of Verses

and if you look closely, you will see that Miss Emma Sage has flowers in her hair. She thinks this is the greatest thing to do...to put flowers in your hair!!!

I agree!!! Look and see....

Life in Perspective......

We are all healthy and fine. I am sorry if my post about going fish'n scared anyone......but two events happened last week that made me put up the 'Gone Fish'n' sign and really savor the moments of summer with the children [and turning off the computer for a bit]

One of the events was the sudden death of an online friends son. Vicki Forman is a wonderful Mother and an enlightening writer.......and a friend to all. She wrote a piece that I adore called 'The Mother at the Swings' and in a tribute to sweet Evan.........we are all placing flowers on our own children's swings to celebrate his life.

Evan Kamida (July 30, 2000 – July 24, 2008)

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam ~ Rest in Peace Sweet Boy




There is a tribute to Evan being gathered at Flickr.com of 'Flowers on the Swing'

Evan loved to Swing..........and what a glorious thing to love.

Evan's death was unexpected..........the other event this week was one that was expected and sadly planned for.

One of my sisters friends was pregnant with a little boy who was diagnosed in-utero with anencephaly........after being counseled to terminate, this little boys parents knew that ~ that was not their choice. The pregnancy continued......and this little boy grew in his Mother's womb knowing how much he was loved, adored and wanted. My sister [being a labor and delivery nurse] was asked to be present for his birth......also present was his whole extended family.

Sweet little Will [named for God's Will] entered out word surrounded in love. He was held and cherished for the hour that he lived. His family [all of his family, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and siblings and parents] were there to let him know that God's Will was done, but in the spirit of love and happiness.

We can not decide destiny......all we can do is embrace our lives, embrace those around us in love and friendship and savor the moments that each day brings to us.

Day by Day......

Gone Fish'n

We've gone Fish'n

Actually, we are doing a little fishing and a lot of swimming.

I've been working on some major home improvement projects and the children are busy with activities and the barefoot and care-free summer days of childhood.

So, while I've neglected our blog, I have been snapping pictures and writing down my thoughts.

I hope to be back posting updates soon........

but after two events this week that make you really stop and reflect on the preciousness of life.....it might be a little while till we are back.

So savor the moments of each day........tell those you love, that you love them, every single chance you get.

Take time to smell the flowers and pick the berries.........and marvel in all the creations of this world........especially fireflies, as they truly are incredible summer time delights.

Peace and love, Tara Marie & Emma Sage and her very busy siblings.

The Power of a Mother's voice.....

Well, actually, the power of 63 Mother's voices.........

I had heard the accounts of this moment right after it happened from some of my friends who were able to attend the session at the NDSC Convention on 'Welcoming your new baby with Down syndrome'......and I got chills at the time.

Now you are able to read about Baby Grace and how the book [which Emma Sage and I are a part of] GIFTS ~ has touched lives....especially the unborn life of a sweet little girl named Grace.

Read Beverly Beckham's piece in The Boston Globe here......titled Learning Love from Baby Grace.

Sisters by chance.....

Lisa, Jan, Me, Nicole and Laura [Emma Sage's furture Mother-in-Law!]
This was taken in Boston at the NDSC annual convention.

These woman are some of my dearest friends.....and we met because of the blessing of Down syndrome in our life, and the incredible paradigm of the Internet.

All of these woman I met online before Emma Sage was even born. Nicole I met when I was 13 weeks pregnant with Emma Sage and we had our first soft marker for T21. I had asked a question on a pregnancy forum at ParentsPlace about 'Nuchual Translucency' and she provided answers and a warm welcome to come visit the Down syndrome parenting board there to meet the other parents and their children.

I lurked and visited often, as I knew in my heart of hearts that the little one I was carrying [our precious Emma Sage] would indeed be born with a little extra. [birth story click here].

I watched as Jan introduced herself and her little boy Nash and when the time came, I was on that board posting the joyful news that our little girl made it safely into our world [born unexpectely at home] and blessed with an extra chromosome. These were the woman [and a bunch more that were not in Boston, but always in my heart] that welcomed our little girl with such joy and warmth!!!

So here we are, Sisters by chance............

Mark your calendars for 2025.......

Puppy Love.....Emma Sage and her beau Ryan


Taking time to smell the flowers......as he courted her


What a little gentleman.......Ryan got down on his knees and in all seriousness, asked Emma Sage 'Will you Marry Me?"

and the answer is......... "YES"

So mark your calendars for 2025......as we figure this gives them both time to graduate high school, attend college or technical school.....and then settle down to Wedded Bliss!!!!!!

The future Mr and Mrs. Ryan Quinn........

"Hey........"

We arrived in Boston safely and only about a half hour longer than our estimated time of arrival because of some traffic. One thing I noticed was that people in Conneticut do not know how to drive. The traffic had no rhyme or reason....it only took one or two brake lights to go on and the traffic came to a snarl before it would release and start flowing again. Very, very frustrating.

We are staying at the Boston Westin Waterfront, a beautiful hotel overlooking the Boston harbor.

After we had checked in, Otto, Emma Sage and I had to run down to our car to get somethings. On the way back up to our room the funniest thing happened.

We were waiting for the elevator and there were a few guests also waiting to go up to their rooms.

As we entered the elevator behind a group of people, I asked Emma Sage to push button number 9.....which she gladly did. After she pushed 9, a teenager on the elevator [who also happened to be sporting an extra chromosome] put his hand up to give Emma Sage a 'high-five'......as she goes to give him a 'high-five' she looks at him and exclaims quite loudly....

"Hey, you have Down syndrome JUST like me"

We all chuckled in the elevator as it was just too darn cute. The other teenagers/young adults with this boy were laughing at how sweet this encounter was.

and of coarse....I start to tear up, as the emotions of attending this conference come gushing foreward.

If you have never been to a National Down syndrome convention, I highly recommend it. There is such an aura and incredible feeling being around so many people [of all ages] with T21.......a very powerful experience.

and 'hey'......my little girl recognized someone who had something in common with her!!!!

Want a Good Laugh?!?

We are in Boston, to attend the National Down syndrome Congress's Convention........and Emma Sage's clothes are packed in her bag, back home on our bed.....YES, we left Emma Sage's clothes at home.

So, tomorrow, after I register early, I have to venture into downtown Boston and find a store to buy her something to wear for the next three days.

So......Did that make you laugh????? I cried at first when we realized our mistake...but now I'm laughing!!!

Oh, and can I tell you how amazing it is to see so many people with T21....I'm in heaven!

Happy 4th of July

This was taken two years ago......but I forgot my camera today [and it was too bad, because little Miss was in her element, as she loves parties and is the Belle of the Ball]



4th of July is my most favorite of days, as I cherish the fact that we live in a country that values freedom and human rights.

I hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating freedom.