Santa

Wednesday was a great day! We went with Sierra's class to see Santa. It was not the seeing Santa that was so great about it though. It was the interactions Sierra had that were so great! We first saw Santa and then went for a stroll around the mall. I ran into an old friend who I introduced to Sierra. Now...most of the time when I run into an old friend and introduce them to Sierra and then try to explain her difference to them I get and "oh" and then they move on. Well this friend automatically turned his attention from me and to Sierra. He was just great with her. I hated that we had to move on. Then in the Food Court while eating lunch Sierra saw 4 of her teenage friends from cheering. These are the kids on the typical squads. Some are buddies and some are not but they all came to our table where we were sitting with Sierra's class, teacher and aides and made her get up to talk to them and give her hugs. It was so great. I am telling you....Cheering is the best thing we ever did for her! The socialization she is getting with the community can not be beat. Her teacher, friends and aides were so impressed with these kids.

Then as we were sitting later waiting to leave a young mother with a tiny baby stopped to talk to us. It turns out that her little girl has Down Syndrome. The mother is clearly still distraught over the diagnosis of her precious baby. She had no idea during her pregnacy that her baby had DS and her husband is still absolutely reeling from the news. We just talked for a while about Sierra and her daughter . I just shared with her how Sierra has changed our lives for the better and told her....."You don't know it yet but this little girl is a gift and the best thing that ever happened to you and your husband and her siblings. I think she felt much better after we talked. She has a long road ahead but I am certain that we brightened her day! Sierra's teacher commented that there was a reason we were sitting there at that moment and she is right. Then on the way out of the mall we ran into my friend again. He went out of his way to come around and tell Sierra goodbye. It just warmed my heart that he was so natural with her.

The day was topped of with Sydney's Christmas pageant at school. It was soooo cute! Sydney was an angel and did such a great job! She is the angel in front on the far left.

It was just a day where everything seemed right with the world!!!

Cheerleading Rocks!!!

Things have been quiet around the Lane household lately but Sierra did have a Major cheerleading competion last weekend in Destin, Fl and we had to brag! She is such an awesome cheerleader and gets better every week! Mom thinks that she has to hover behind her throughout the entire competition process but Sierra actually would do just fine without her. Her Buddy, Ryan is awesome and Sierra is totally in love with him! He just about walks on water. He is the young man just behind her in most of the pictures.

Sierra does have a couple of more competions coming up. Birmingham on January 11, New Orleans on March 14-15 and a final one of the season back home in Pensacola on March 28.

I also wanted to share a couple of pictures of Sierra and her favorite things! One is her hammock swing in her room and the other is her bar chair that spins wonderfully! These have been her Christmas presents the past two years. The sensory input she gets from them is invaluable to her and to us! If she is a little out of sorts just being pointed in the direction of one of these for some spinning or swinging does the trick...

Hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas!

The Lanes