It's a Small World...

January 21, 2014...my phone alerted me of a Facebook Message:  "hi Kim, I'm Sandy from Ireland and our princess has duplication 12p....I'm kinda of looking for advice.  I'm sorry for mailing, my heart is beating out of my chest- I thought we were alone in the world."

Following that message, were about 5 more exchanges, and then a phone call!  (Remember my post, "Hello, Ireland Calling!")  During that phone conversation, we both dreamed of meeting each other.

Then February 2, 2014...my phone blings again:  "Hi Kim, I haven't gotten to talk to you yet, but as you know, I am the proud father of Penny and Lucy, and the lucky husband of Sandy.....we are coming to Orlando in May.  I know it would mean a lot for Sandy to meet you."

And at that moment, the impulsiveness of Kim Leffew went into action, full speed!  I was determined to find a way to make this plan work.....and keep it a SECRET!

And we did, right up until this picture!  We Did It!  May 24, 2014 finally arrived!  Whew!!

 I 'm not really sure how to write the story of the absolutely fabulous weekend that we had with our new friends in Orlando.  But here goes!   It was a very quick weekend, and we had a blast.

The Rain Forest Cafe at Downtown Disney was where it all happened! The look on Sandy's face when she recognized Laik was one of shock!  She did a double take and realized that it was me standing before her in the dimly lit restaurant, with the gorillas dancing and the sounds of thunder/rain coming down inside, we made our way to each other and hugged.  Speechless and tears of joy flowing, we embraced each other like family that had been away for an extended time.  And then, Sandy got a glimpse of the joy that Laik gives us daily.

Our party of 11 included:  Todd, Laik and me.  Thomas, Sandy, Lucy and Penny.  My mother, Linda and both of my sisters, Cathy and Debra.  And Sandy's mother, Teresa.  How awesome it was to share this exciting meeting with our family, too!    We ordered food, but talked more than we ate.  Then, we put our 48 hour plan into action.  Below is our official first photo!

Following a stroll around Downtown Disney and a visit to the Lego Store.  We parted our ways, briefly.  The Morans headed back to their hotel, as did we.  We dropped the fam off and then made our way down International Drive (appropriate, huh?) to pick up the Morans to bring them back to our hotel for an afternoon of splashing in the pool, eating dinner together and catching up.  Our families clicked IMMEDIATELY!

I fell in love with both Penny and Lucy.  And inevitably, Laik captured Sandy's heart.  As I watched and listened to Penny, my memories of Laik at that age flowed in and out of my mind.  I remember during that time, that I wanted to know what the next few years would be like.   So spending time with Sandy and her girls, allowed her a glimpse.  Yes, all children are different, but when you have been told that your child will not X, Y, and Z.....it is nice to see a child that is similar that is DOING X, Y, and Z!  (Laura Ketcham and her son, Drew, gave me that hope, two years ago!)

Lucy is a great big sister.  She, too, took a liking to Laik, and Todd.  During our time together, Lucy spent time very near Todd and Laik.  The evening was coming to a close and it was time to prepare for our next day at Disney's Magic Kingdom!

We started off Sunday morning at the Animal Kingdom with our family with plans to meet the Morans around lunch.  To watch Todd and Laik warmed my heart.

And every guy needs a paci and lovie while relaxing on a train ride!

And finally, we arrived at the most magical place on earth!  Personal note here:  Those three women....my greatest support!  Love them!

Laik was in love with all of the music and lights!  And as you can see in the pictures, it was HOT in Orlando....but that didn't slow us down!

These two handsome guys, make my heart beat with a purpose that is wayyyyyy bigger than me!  LOVE!

Sandy, Penny, Lucy and Thomas Moran

These two men!  Sandy and I are lucky ladies, we both have husbands that are amazingly supportive, helpful and uplifting about the outlook of our future.  And together, they were quite a hoot!  Todd's deep southern voice and Thomas' thick Irish accent made for a lot of repeating!

Our day was spent, riding rides, laughing, eating, weathering a storm, planning our next visit and continuing to share moments that will be memories for a lifetime.  

Look out, Ireland....the Leffews are going to be crossing the pond!

An ocean separates us, but one chromosome brought us together.  It's a small world, after all!

Rain

It's midnight and it is raining in southeast Tennessee.  I am sitting in the quiet of our great room, listening.  The sound of the rain on the vaulted ceiling calms me.  I can hear the water draining from the  downspout outside the windows and splashing onto the rock in the landscaping.  It is such a pleasant sound.  The gentle noise stirred my thoughts.

 It's gonna be random, but this is what is on my mind tonight.

•  I Thank God for a family that loves and supports one another like ours does!
• Seeing the shadow on the ground of Laik and me walking hand-in-hand delights my soul!
• Each day it gets easier to share the story of Laik and Trisomy 12p without crying! (The eyes still tend to get moist!)
• I love Todd Leffew more and more each day as I see him be a Champion Daddy to Laik.  
• I am grateful for true friendships that can pick up right where we left off.  Even if it has been years since we last spoke.
• I am turning 40 in August....it gets closer every day.
• Laik is walking.  More and more and more!
• Laik loves airplanes, trains, and the Cookie Monster.
• That baby in the photo has changed the mindset of our entire family.  Laik has No Limits....it is just taking him a little longer to achieve things.
• It's ok to be the "lone nut."
• Spending time ALONE is a necessity!
• I hate kidney disease and what it is doing to a very good friend!
• I lost a friend/mentor  in a tragic accident and it brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it.
• I had no idea how much my parents loved me, until I had Laik.
• I am proud to say that I am the parent of a special needs child.  
• Without my sisters, I don't know what I would be like...they have molded me in ways that they aren't even aware of!
• My life is impacted daily with kind words from former students and colleagues. 
• I love to hear the sound of Laik's voice when he says, "Mama!"
• Little things give my heart great joy.  
• An unexpected kiss from Todd still gives me a flutter in my stomach.  
• An unexpected two arm hug from Laik melts me every time.  
• When Laik hears a train in the distance and gets excited...I am reminded that even though he FAILS the OAE hearing test, EVERY SINGLE TIME, he can hear!
• And when he spots a plane in the sky "a mile high" and starts waving and hollering "HEY!" It reassures me that he can SEE!
• My favorite time of day is when Laik and I snuggle just before he falls asleep at night.
• Hearing Laik squeal with excitement when he sees Todd's truck pull in the driveway reminds me that he KNOWS who we are!
• Watching Laik put a smile on the face of anyone makes me a proud mama!

Every single thought is just like a raindrop.  Thoughts can be caught up in a storm, swirled around by the wind, pushed through the gutter and pounded into the dirt.  But with the rain comes a good cleansing, new growth with a fresh start  and a thirst quenched.  We are blessed that God knows exactly when we need the rain to pour down on us!  And for that, I am grateful.

Good night and be well!

Kim