I love my buddy!

Saturday was a big day in our zoo--it was the first annual appearance of Roo's Crew at our local Buddy Walk!  Here we are, in all our glory...

Last year I was aware of the walk, but I just wasn't quite there yet.  I had a feeling that the people at the walk would be... well... happy.  And I really wasn't that.  At all.

But this year was a different story.  I was excited--and still a little nervous.  I was ready, as much as I ever would be.  And I wanted to feel a little more connected to families like ours.  And so, Roo's Crew was formed.

We set out to the walk not knowing what to expect, not knowing if this would be a one-time thing or an annual event for us.  Let me tell you, we will be there again next year without a doubt--only next time, we'll have our own team shirts.  :-)

We arrived a little later than planned, but I really didn't think there would be that many people there, so it shouldn't be too crowded, right?  Wow, was I wrong!  There were around 5,000 people walking this year!  5,000!!!!  I could hardly stop crying for the first half-hour we were there, just seeing all these wonderful families coming together to celebrate our "buddies" with Down syndrome.  I have to admit, lately I've been feeling a little bit isolated, a little alone on our journey, and it was so nice to see all these families and feel like we really belonged.

The event was well-organized and went great.  The weather was nice, the activities were great, the people were friendly.  I can't say enough good about it.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the walk.  I took them all with my iPhone, so I can't say they are fabulous quality, but you'll get the idea.  Enjoy!  :-)

Me & my buddy!  ;-)

My attempt to get a shot of the crowd--there were about 5,000 people there!  It was unbelievable!!!

We're walking!  :-)

Lamb & her Nana

Roo with Papa

This band was a great encouragement along the walk--and the two boys in front both have DS.

Walking out onto the field at Progressive Field!  :-)

The kids LOVED getting to sit in the dugout.  :-)

All of the "buddies"--those with DS--got a medal as they approached home plate.  It was so cool!

And after the walk, there were tons of family-friendly activities.  The big kids very much enjoyed the bubble machines!

Lamb getting her hair sprayed...

Face painting--for some reason, she decided she wanted different color polka dots all over her face.  I have no idea where that idea came from, but it turned out cute...

Monkey got his face painted, too, and he went with a timeless favorite...

BATMAN!

And once again, our favorite Buddy of the day.  He had a great time, and I can't wait to take him back next year.  :-)

To those of you who provided support for our team, THANK YOU!  I feel so blessed to have been a part of the walk, and especially to feel the love from each person who was a part of our team, whether in walking or by donation.  Thank you again!

Join the Crew!

This time last year I was a weary, sad, angry, mess of a momma much of the time. I felt alone, but would also cut off people who tried to get too close.  I wanted to know that others were going through the same experiences I was, but I was afraid of looking into the mirror of my future.

Around the beginning of August I heard of an event called the Buddy Walk, and I kind of wanted to do it... but I wasn't sure I was ready to make Down Syndrome that much of a reality in our lives.  The day came and went, and I didn't give it too much thought.

But now here we are, one year later, and let me tell you... Down Syndrome is very much a reality in our lives.  I'm still a mess, but more in the normal way that I'll probably just always be a mess.

And once again it's time to start thinking about the Buddy Walk, and this time I am IN and I am EXCITED.  We're not just walking in this Buddy Walk--we're forming a team.  And it's going to be great!  Guess what our team is called, friends... Roo's Crew!

I am so looking forward to being part of this event, taking my kids there, having some fun.  And here is the absolute BEST PART to me--the thing that brings me joy and warms my heart more than I can ever tell you... I have been telling people about this walk, and multiple people have said that they are interested in doing it too.  These are not people with DS or whose children have DS... these are our friends and family who want to join Roo's Crew just because they love us!  Seriously, you have no idea how much that means to me.  Even if it doesn't work out for any of them to come, the fact that they so sincerely have showed interest in being part of our team makes me feel incredibly blessed.

In the meantime, we've been trying to decide the best way to raise money for our team.  Normally this wouldn't be an issue, but since I feel like I just sent letters to everyone I know asking for support for my Mozambique mission, I feel a little funny to do it again.   So instead of a big letter-writing campaign, I've just been telling people about the walk and I am having a Tastefully Simple fundraiser party!  I think the Tastefully Simple party will be a great thing--20% of the show's total will go to our Buddy Walk, and everyone who orders will get their yummy TS stuff!  It's a win-win!  :-)  And other people have just offered donations to our team just from hearing about the walk.  God is so good.

I have learned a huge amount about fundraising this year.  Between Mozambique and this Buddy Walk, I have realized that raising money is so not about the money at all.  Every single time I got a check for the Mozambique mission, it brought tears to my eyes. Every time someone shows interest in walking in or donating to the Buddy Walk, my heart swells.  Over the years I have gotten many letters from friends and acquaintences who were raising money for one thing or another, but never did I really understand that a donation wasn't just about helping them meet a goal--it is truly a way to show love and support for a person.  I couldn't believe how spiritually and emotionally blessed I felt by a physical gift.

I feel like I need to give a little disclaimer here, though... I also got support from friends (for Mozambique) who didn't or weren't able to provide financially.  Many provided lots & lots of prayer, some sent cards or letters, some even brought food to my family while I was gone.  Every single one of those things made me feel incredibly blessed, and I don't mean to downplay those things by talking so much about the money.  My point is simply that I never understood that giving the money was also a way of actually showing love far more than it was about raising funds.

Anyway, all that to say... we've come a long way in the last year.  And I am so thankful for every single person who has been on the journey with us.  And I am excited to see Roo's Crew come together for the Buddy Walk next month!