Noah’s a Fifth Grader

It’s hard to believe that a little over 10 years ago Noah was born and just a few days ago he started the 5th grade. I can hardly believe it. I’m so thankful for all of the friends he has made in school and for how well he is doing.

School isn’t easy for any kid, but school can present kids like Noah (who have Down syndrome) with unique challenge. With that being said, I am so proud of Noah for how hard he has worked all throughout his school career. This kid is amazing and I’m thankful to be “Noah’s Dad.”

Here’s to a great school year Noah, your dad loves you!

Noah Starts His Fourth Season of Soccer!

Yesterday Noah started his fourth season of soccer with the Frisco Miracle League! I love how much he enjoy playing soccer and having fun along with his friends. Be sure to check out the link above to learn more about why we enjoy the Frisco Miracle League so much (and also see Noah kick an amazing soccer goal!)

Down syndrome doesn’t stop this kid from doing awesome things!

The Youngest Non-Profit Board Member with Down syndrome?

Noah is a Hope Story!

We’re excited to announce that we have launched a new non-profit, “Hope Story.”

“Hope Story exists to give support, encouragement and hope to parents whose child has received a Down
syndrome diagnosis; to provide free resources to the medical community in order to help Doctors deliver a Down syndrome diagnosis, and to help parents of children born with Down syndrome use their story to bring hope to others.”

If you look at our about page you’ll see Noah is an honorary board member! One of the goals of Hope Story is to connect every OB/GYN in America to a family raising a child with Down syndrome. We call those parents “Hope Advocates.” Check out the short video below to see the impact a Hope Advocate can make.

If you have a child with Down syndrome we want to encourage you to become a Hope Advocate. We also hope everyone reading this will sign up for the Hope Story newsletter and stay connected to what we’re working on!

Check out this podcast to learn more!

I love Noah so much, and I’m so proud to be “Noah’s Dad.”

Stay tuned!

Check Out Our Top Posts of 2017

It’s hard to believe we’re just a few hours away from the end of 2017. For our family, this year was definitely a mix of hard times and good times…with the birth of our 3rd son being one of the highlights of the year. I’ve also been blogging much more frequently on Noah’s Dad this year, which I really enjoy. I also started a new personal blog as well!

With that being said I wanted to share the top five posts that I published on our blog in 2017. If you missed any of them, be sure to check them out.

Our Top Blog Posts of 2017

1. People With Down Syndrome Don’t Have “Special Needs” – In this post I shared a video that Lauren Potter, who played Becky on the television show, “Glee”, appeared in. This was a humous video that explained why people who have Down syndrome don’t have “special needs.” If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to check it out!

2. A Letter to Noah’s First Grade Teacher On His First Day of School – Noah started the 1st grade this year! In this blog post I shared a letter that my wife wrote to his teacher on the first day of school. The goal of the letter was to help the teacher get to know Noah, as well as share a few of the unique challenges that Noah faces as a child with Down syndrome. Feel free to use this letter as a template for your own child if you’d like.

3. 10 Things to Never to Say to a Parent of a Child with Down Syndrome – If you’re a parent of a child with Down syndrome you may have heard phrases such as; “I’m so sorry.”, “Is he ok?”, and many others. In this blog post I share the top 10 things to never say to a parent of a child with Down syndrome. Feel free to pass it along to a friend if you need to. 🙂

4. Ice, Ice, (We’re Having a) Baby!– In this blog post we shared with everyone that we were having a third child. We also shared a super fun video of us creatively sharing the news with my wife’s mom! Her reaction was priceless.

5. How a Chick-Fil-A Employee Changed My Idea of “Meaningful” Work – In this blog post I shared a story of a girl with Down syndrome I saw working at Chick-Fil-A that changed my idea of what “meaningful” work means.

Thank You

To everyone that follows our story on Noah’s dad, our Facebook page, Instagram feed, etc. I want to say thank you. We’ve been sharing our story for close to seven years now! We’ve met some great people, and are very encouraged by your comments, emails, messages, etc. I hope we encourage you as we share our story, as much as you guys encourage me!

I’m looking forward to 2018. We have an exciting announcement to make when the time is right! So stay tuned!

To all of our readers, here’s to an awesome 2018! Let’s change the world together!

– Rick

(Noah’s Dad)

It’s Been a While!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, but I wanted to let you know about some posts we’ve shared on Noah’s Dad that you may enjoy!

• 10 Things to Never to Say to a Parent of a Child with Down Syndrome
• Down Syndrome Stories From Around the World | Blog Series
• What’s It Like Raising a Child With Down Syndrome in the United States
• What’s It Like Raising a Child With Down Syndrome in Tanzania
• Amy Wright, Owner of “Bitty & Beau’s Coffee” Wins 2017 CNN’s Hero of the Year

Check ’em out!

#321 DAY: The Pressure to Abort, Just in Case.

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day…#321 Day.  As ‘no exceptions’ prolifers, we are to love them all; the sidewalk is not segregated. We are determined to defeat the scourge of abortion and bring better awareness that all of God’s children are GOD’s, right on the sidewalk of abortion facilities everywhere.

FACT: 92% of diagnosed preborn Down syndrome babies are aborted.

In 1997, I was 35 years old…and surprised with pregnancy I did not expect. I was married, had two sons, my youngest was 5 years old. Since I was ‘old’ regarding child bearing, the doctors tried to prescribe an amniocentesis to check for Down syndrome and other ‘defects’. I gave a resounding NO. I was already post-abortive and knew exactly what it was like to live with it. I said that I do not want to know if something was wrong – I would be his/her mother, no…

View original post 355 more words

Noah Rocked Times Square!

 

We’re so proud of how God is using our little boy to bring hope and encouragement to people all over the world and show them Down syndrome is ok. I was so proud to see Noah’s face on the big screen in Time Square. Be sure to read all the details about his trip to the New York Buddy Walk, and watch the entire video for yourself. (Our  local NBC affiliate even did a story on the trip as well!)

Be sure to visit Noahs Dad Pinterest Page, and Noahs Dad Google plus page and add us there as well so we can stay connected!

It’s so much fun being Noah’s Dad!

 

On Being A Good Dad.

It’s hard to believe we’re just a few weeks from meeting baby Jaxten. Noah can’t wait to meet his little brother, and I can’t wait to meet our little boy!

I’ve mentioned that I didn’t grow up with a good dad, in fact I wrote this letter to him the day before I drove to his funeral after not talking to him for about a decade. I’ve forgiven my father, and I  wish I could have told him what the Lord had done in my life before he died. But it didn’t happen.

Thankfully, by the grace of God, I am a different father than then one I had. I tell my son I love him, and I’m proud of him. Every day. I pray for him. Every day. And I pray that the Lord would draw him to Himself. Every day.

I can’t wait to be a dad to two little boys. I can’t wait to teach my sons about the love God has for them.

I’m thankful for a God, and wife, who love me like they do.

I’m thankful for churches like mine that invest in marriages, and start marriage ministries that change lives all around the world.  I’m also thankful that they help families raise Godly men and Godly women. I’m thankful for the way they love on others. I’m thankful of how they love on me.

I wouldn’t be the dad I am without the grace of God, and the people of God, in my life. If you aren’t plugged in to a good church, I encourage you to do find one. To get plugged in. To renew your commitment to God and your spouse.

Your kids will thank later. Trust me.

October Is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Here’s How You Can Get Involved!

The month of October is National Down Syndrome awareness month which is a time set apart to help show the world that what it’s like raising a child born with Down syndrome.

We encourage you to check out these 16 Ideas To Help You Create Awareness For Down Syndrome Awareness Month, as well as this list of Down syndrome blogs to help you make an impact, and “meet” some new people!

What are yo doing this month for Down Syndrome Awareness Month?

 

Check Out Noah’s Milestones!

Check out Noah’s developmental milestones!

It’s hard to believe we’re closely approaching Noah’s third birthday! It seems like only yesterday we were learning the news that Noah was born with Down syndrome. We’ve learned a lot these past (almost) three years that’s for sure!

Not only have we learned a lot, but Noah has achieved a lot. We put together this list of his developmental millstones just to keep track. Feel free to check out the link and look at all the things this little kid has accomplished in his few years on earth!

By the way, in case you haven’t heard, Noah is going to be a big brother! We are so excited!!! (Be sure to check out this great article Life News did about Noah’s story, and our announcement on him becoming a big brother.)

In other exciting news, Noah’s Dad Facebook page passed the 50,000 mark this weekend! It’s been so much fun getting to know everyone through that page!

What has been going on in your child’s life? Leave a comment and tell us about it.