Top 25 Most Inspiring Families: 5 of 8

What inspired you to start blogging?

I started blogging over a decade ago -- I'm really aging myself here -- with a diary for a wedding web site. It wasn't even called blogging then. After that, I wrote for The Detroit News' political blog for four years. 

When my daughter, May, was born severely brain-damaged, blogging wasn't my immediate inclination, but as I came to terms with her injuries, I wanted to document the choices I made for May and see where they led over time and blogging seemed the best fit for that. Also, there is very little written about babies with brain damage -- even less by anyone with a sense of humor (although I'm pleased to say there are others!).

What are three distinctive features of your blog?

1. 'This week I'm...' A category of my blog documenting the successes and failures of whatever therapy I'm trying at the time.
2. I don't limit myself to writing about my daughter. I also cover political and social issues that affect families like mine.
3. My blog is not a pity party.

How has blogging changed your journey as a family?

It enables me to reflect on the long-term gains we have made. Also, it gives me a chance to focus on not just the positive steps May is making, but publicly thank everyone -- especially her daddy -- for all their help reaching them. And, of course, the grandparents love the frequent updates on their granddaughter.

What are your three favorite posts?

1. This week I'm... using colored lights.
2. May says, "No!"
3. Don't insult the Half-Brained Baby!

What inspired you to start blogging?

Enjoying the Small Things began in 2007, shortly after my first daughter Lainey was born, as a way to combine my writing and photography hobbies. It since has evolved to much more, providing not only an outlet for creativity (without which, I'd go nuts), but a home for the gratitude I feel for all of my inspirations, and most importantly, the moments we share as a family. 

This January, we welcomed our second girl, Nella Cordelia, and were stunned to learn, upon her delivery, that she had Down Syndrome. My world was rocked to the core, and I was sure life as I knew it was over.

How wrong I was. Between the outpouring of love and support we received, some hardcore life analysis and therapeutic insights I made on this blog through it all, I have arrived at the very beautiful place of life is hard. But it's also amazing, and I will rock the hell out of it.

Recent posts:

1. Instincts
2. My Mama's Wedding
3. Happy Mother's Day

What inspired you to start blogging?

Our five-year-old son, Charlie, has Down Syndrome. In many ways the first couple years of his life were about learning to adjust to a reality we had not counted on. A reality that included a baby with Down Syndrome. As we settled into our "new normal" we relied heavily on blogs of families who were living -- and loving -- their lives with their children who have Down Syndrome. Those inspiring parents were the impetus for Charlie's Up To, which I created in August of 2007. My way of sharing with others the way Down Syndrome has both changed our lives forever, and made it richer, challenging, and beautiful. 

What are three distinctive features of your blog?

1. Charlie's Up To offers a narrative of what life is like with a child who has Down Syndrome. The good, the hard, the funny. A place where other parents can feel encouraged and entertained.
2. I grew up with one sister... and now I am raising 3 boys! Charlie's Up To chronicles life with three little boys, and how this mama is learning on the fly. It's high adventure in our home.
3. Charlie's Up To makes often mention of the simplicity of life and faith we enjoy and espouse as we raise our family in the beauty of Humboldt County, California.

How has blogging changed your journey as a family?

I hardly know family life without a blog. For our family, a blog, and indeed the larger blogging community, has made for a parenthood that is connected and shared. We are not alone in the challenges we face raising a son who has Down Syndrome, nor is there a shortage of people at the ready to celebrate the accomplishments of our sons and appreciate the growth of our family. My blog has given me a unique opportunity to reach out to families sharing the experience of Down Syndrome, or child birth, or raising many little ones at once, or puzzling over what it is to parent boys. A blog has been catharsis -- a healing and ongoing therapy. A place to make homey and welcoming. A place to share, and in some cases find, what is meaningful to me and my family.

What are your three favorite posts?

1. The Immensity of Down Syndrome
2. A Comforting Hymn
3. Raising Boys