The Garbe Family is a typical family living life to the fullest as they enjoy their day to day occurrences. Two beautiful girls and two loving parents. All with real dreams that will be best suited together. Their dreams were on course to Italy, instead their visiting Holland.

Lisa is often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability — to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. She says it’s like this…

When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans… the Coliseum, the Sistine Chapel, Gondolas. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting. After several months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland!” “Holland?” you say. “What do you mean, Holland? I signed up for Italy. I’m supposed to… be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.” But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place full of pestilence, famine, and disease. It’s just a different place. So, you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It’s just a different place. It’s slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around. You begin to notice that Holland has windmills. Holland has tulips. And Holland even has Rembrandts. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy, and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, “Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.” And the pain of that experience will never, ever, ever go away. The loss of that dream is a very significant loss. But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you might never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.

Trip To Holland
By Emily Perl Kingsley

Miss Marley has been a distant Hawaiian friend of ours for over four years. I met Marley’s Mom, Katrina, on the wonderful worldwide web in a not so faraway place called Downsyn.com. It’s an online community of parents and families with children who have Down syndrome. Becoming a part of downsyn.com was filled with so many blessings, including but not limited to: friendships, knowledge, resources, understanding, compassion, gratitude, and sooo much more:-)

As they say, “It takes a whole Village to raise a child.” In some ways, downsyn.com was that community of valuable resources and priceless experienced wisdom. It was where many of us discovered that we were not alone and that our emotional roller coaster(s) were a normal process in understanding our new life with a child that has special needs. It’s where we found out that it was okay to have those indescribable emotions that take over you without a moments notice. It’s where we laughed and cried with sharing milestones and challenges. We found out that we were not alone, and we had a place to speak with people that TRULY GOT IT. The evolution of our new life’s purpose blossomed. We learned from each other and developed together. It helped me to realize that, “I am the Lucky One.” (insert you tube video link).

I’m so thankful to have been chosen to be Lana’s mom and to have been given the opportunity to experience this wonderful life with so many beautiful people. Marley and her family are only a few of those beautiful people that I have had the pleasure of meeting and befriending.

Marley has the coolest (level-headed) demeanor of a child, her age, that I have ever seen. She will quietly observe then find that beauty within…well…everything. At times, it seems like nothing is strange to her. She is extremely giving and gracious. She is sweet, kind and an undeniable friend to all. She is Marley!

When she arrived we were so excited to see her and her growing family. It seemed more like a play-date with good friends than work. Yes, we love our job!!! Marley gave us some unique and fun photos.

Marley and family, Thank you for being a part our day! It was wonderful seeing and catching up with you all.

Now for a flashback from the past… A group of us from downsyn.com were able to meet up in Texas for a Get Together in 2007. I dug up the video that I had put together back then to share our time together. Warning, it’s almost twenty minutes long and the photos are prior-to me becoming a photographer. LOL!

We had such a fun time with the Greenlee’s yesterday. We can’t wait to share more images from their shoot, but until then here’s a sneak peek.

We’ve been told that it takes special people to care for and Love a child with special needs.  As parents to the child, we love our children because they are a product of us…but to a brother or sister, it’s a different sort of love and respect.  They don’t always understand why people make such a fuss or what makes their brother/sister special…they simply see the person.  Families that are blessed with such a gift become an inspiration just by loving and providing. We had the pleasure of meeting such a special family last weekend. 
 
The Garbe’s started the morning off in the good ole Texas HUMID heat.  Even though it became extremely hot it didn’t stop us from having a fun-filled-family on-the-go photoshoot.  It didn’t take long for us to relate to the Garbe’s and photograph that “togetherness” that they share.  Each person has their own unique role in the family making a fully functioning team.  
 
Sheridan and Brooke are adorable sisters with their own separate agendas.  They kept us on our toes throughout the shoot and provided us an ample amount of photographic opportunities.  When I settled for a bit, I had the pleasure of sharing cuddle-time with Brooke as she sat in my lap while I continued to photograph her sister, Sheridan.  All I could think was, “future photographer” as she oohed and ahhed at the preview of each shot taken;-)  And when Sheridan held my hand as we walked to the next spot, I knew her heart.  It was the same sweetness that our son shares with others.  A special bond ties these girls together and will enrich their lives together through the years to come.  Here are a few photographs of this beautiful dynamic family.

such a sweet moment. I love Andre’s angle on the left and mine on the right.

Nate helped me with the selects of these images. On the image below he said “Oh Mom, you have to use this one. I love how her eyes are in focus.” I just had to share my proud Mom-photographer moment with my little man. Not to mention how gorgeous Sheridan looks.

This past Saturday the Garbe’s braved the dreadfully humid Texas heat for their lifestyle family photoshoot. Here’s a little peek from our active time together.

What a personality!

Emme was not feeling well due to a severe allergy attack and took some time to warm up to us. While her mother tried to keep her distance, Emme made sure that she did not roam too far away from her site. Once she got the feel for our time together, she started to let loose. The strong wind blew across her face and the sun shone so bright that she had to close her eyes while breathing in deep. A smile lifted her lips and she began to dance and run in-between the parked trains. Witnessing her love for her mother and her carefree spirit, warmed our hearts and put smiles on our faces. She is a priceless LIFE treasure.

Is it just me, or do Emme’s eyes take your breath away? I adore her beautiful brushfield spots! A unique characteristic of 35-78% of children with Down syndrome.

Leah and Roddy waited patiently for their baby to be a part of their lives. Although their lives were changed the moment she came into it, they embraced their new life with acceptance and optimism. They took on Laiken’s first year with strength, compassion, pride, and a whole lot of LOVE.

It’s always a blessing to see people with a real desire to be parents be given the opportunity to raise and nurture a child, especially a child as precious as Laiken.  Both the parents and child will only benefit from the beautiful relationship that they share. Together they make one special family.  

Here is our first family showography that we created to share the Neff’s united love.  Enjoy!!!

I was incredibly excited when Leah contacted me shortly after we photographed our Down syndrome portrait event. She told me all about her sweet little girl, Laiken, who also (as I like to say) happens to be gently enhanced. After hearing and reading all about her (I love family blogs!!!) I couldn’t wait to photograph her and her families love for each other.

When we met, I sort of fell in love. I think that is everyone’s natural reaction after immediately meeting her. She was even more precious than I imagined she would be. Andre and I ate up every one of her smiles. every content little expression. every pure feeling she had towards her Mama and Dada… and herself when looking back through her mirror. Laiken’s energy is truly contagious. She was a pure delight to be around.

We loved getting to know the Neff family. After only a few minutes, there were no doubts to the depth of their love. Love as it should be…Unconditional, Intense and FUN. Laiken is going to do great things with the love and support that she has from her parents.

check out this adorable smile.

a little peek-a-boo play. Love it!

I enjoy capturing moments like this. A love force that is to be reckoned with.

I’m so proud of you Laiken! I look forward to watching you continue to grow and flourish.

Yes, that’s right, this is only part 1 of this families session. Check back Thursday for a nice surprise, Andre style.