11/22/2010 -- I found this un published post in the DRAFTS folder of my email -- I started it on the day that Gracie was born, but never put it in my blog -- a little weird to read now, but what the heck...

Today is Will’s birthday (and potentially Gracie’s as well – which would be all too weird ) – there are a lot of things about our journey to come that scare the heck out of me, but I wanted to share this beautiful post that our friend Tracy wrote in honor of Will’s 5^th birthday.  Things like this let me know that our future will be just fine (scratch that, most likely, much better than just fine).  Once again, thank you Tracy and Steve for paving our way and thank you Will for being a shining example for our Gracie to follow for the many years to come.

 

Five years ago
today, a sweet little boy entered this world with a big surprise for his mommy and daddy. Five years ago today, we were scared of the future. We looked at our brand new baby and saw the struggles that he would face... the hurdles that he would have to overcome. We looked at his differences, his medical "conditions", his "clinical features" we saw a baby that would face a lifetime of trials. Five years ago today, we failed to see the true beauty in our son. We looked past his potential, the sparkle in his eyes, and the little dimple on his right cheek. We assumed that because he held an extra 21st chromosome, that he would be more different than his family than like us. Five years ago today, we could not have been more wrong. Will is a light to so many people who love him (and even to perfect strangers in the grocery store). Our lives are so much richer because he's who he is... exactly who God intended him to be.  Wishing a very happy 5th birthday to one of the biggest blessings in my life. Big things are in store for you, little man! We love you more than you know, and we thank God every day for YOU