How old is kelle hampton

Do you ever have bad days? Are you scared of the future for Nella? A: I have bad days and bad moments as does everyone, but the more I experience the ups and downs of life, the more I learn to steer my thoughts where I want them to go.

There are many things that are proven to make bad moments turn better, and spending time with my girls plays a huge role in that. Am I scared of the future? Life is short, and there is a lot of enjoying-the-small-things to do in the meantime. A: Austyn and Brandyn are just as much a part of our family as the girls. They live with us half of the time, and their mother and her husband are a part of our family too yes, we all like each other! Sometimes I bribe them.

Either way, I consider it a treasure when I succeed in capturing a moment that includes them. Q: Does Nella still wear glasses?

A: I realize I never clarified her visual prognosis after our second opinion. No, we are not neglecting her sweet little almond eyes. Her prescription is insignificant enough right now not to require glasses, although we put them on once in awhile for a fashion statement because we kind of miss our professor. We go for eye exams every six months, so we will be on top of any changes!

I accept the fact I may never be naturally organized or able to write a song. But we are all good at something. What is it that moves you, fuels you, inspires you? Her going on about her circle of friends depressed me as well. Oh yeah, and she's gorgeous, too. Sucks to be her. I did, however, enjoy the book on an emotional roller-coaster level. Kind of like choosing to watch a tear-jerker movie so you can have the catharsis without any personal investment. I literally sobbed through parts of her book.

But her emotions definitely seemed over the top. Very, very dramatic! After I'd read it and written my review, I donated the book to my local DS Association with a kind note at the front. I think I might like your review better than mine, though.

I was going to read the book, but I'm giving it second thoughts now. I don't know that much about Kelle; I don't read her blog, and I only know about the book because I heard about it from a friend recently. But it sounds like the type of thing that would frustrate me more than anything else.

I might start reading her blog to get a better picture of her and pick up the book a little later I like that you are so honest about your feelings about Kelle and her book. Should she focus more on Ds in her blogs to highlight negatives AND positives? Does she clearly throw up unicorns and brightly colored balloons on a daily basis?

But I think that positivity is admirable, to some degree. We actually got to Skype with Kelle and one of my co-workers brought up the fact that Kelle spews happiness, family and friend support, etc.

Kelle said she did in fact think it could be, and realizes that most people's lives do not include as much support as she seems to have. So although I do see your point, I also think that Kelle is spreading a message of enjoying life, with or without a child ren with Ds. I like her positivity and I try to aspire each day to NOT focus on the "what if's" and negative that some people can bring. Just thought I'd share my P.

Thanks for hosting this blog hop! I am enjoying participating in it. Love the pictures of Moxie and congrats on your newest addition!

I really enjoyed reading your review, Meriah. That you clearly took no pleasure in writing about what you didn't like lends much credence to your words. You managed to be critical without being mean, and to disagree without making it personal.

As far as pity being the draw for book sales, I prefer to believe that it's more like the People Magazine phenomenon. People love juicy stories about other people.

I am still trying to decide whether I want to read the book. It sounds like it will be an uncomfortable read. I do enjoy Kelle's blog, but in much the same way that I enjoy the Pottery Barn catalog quick browse to see all the pretty things. What I hope the take away is for the book, as it seems to be for the blog, is that a child with Down syndrome can bring more joy and beauty to an already beautiful and joyful life.

She may not be contributing much directly in terms of advocacy in a traditional sense, but I think her window into one way to live life with an extra chromosome is a net positive one for our community.

Specifically the genuine voice you used regarding KH. Yes, a toddler. As a result, I have now become a fan. The good kind.

Have a lovely Sunday! Thanks so much, dexter. I have been amazed at the traffic that this post continues to attract. I have not experienced any, er, fanatical commenters like you the ones you describe, and it saddens me that there would be people like that out there.

Love Kelle and I love her blog. I do not have a child with Down Syndrome, but her blog encourages me to try and be a more involved, active mom. What good would that do? Good for her. I think she is incredibly insecure and truly needs all the validation and constant butt kissing for lack of a better phrase.

I DO think she is a wonderful mother who truly gets joy from doing things with and for her kids, and that is certainly something to respect. We all do what we have to, I suppose. I liked this post a lot because I thought you were honest without being mean. I thought it was a kind assessment of someone not on the bandwagon.

KH represents too many moms I have encountered who try to always look like they have everything together. I find myself being one of the only ones that will be open and honest about struggle and growth! For me, it is really not a matter of jealousy as much as it is an issue of authenticity. I prefer to get deep with people, ugliness and all, as opposed to wearing masks around each other, acting as if all is wonderful.

I wish people would just be real. Be honest. Thanks to you for being constructive about this. Your authenticity rocks! Thanks, guys, for chiming in and letting me know how you feel about uber-positive versus warts-and-all. I want to interact with people who are relatable, and I would have a hard time being close to someone who never had or more likely, never was willing to share a bad moment. Love it. You were not critical, just honest.

I have met Kelle and she seems very sweet. I know people get annoyed with her unicorns and rainbows talk and how she rarely talks about the tough stuff that can come along with having a child with DS. I hope she starts sharing the tough stuff.

I only came across this because I was looking up something about Kelle Hampton. I have been reading her blog for almost a year now.

I absolutely love it. She is the kind of mom I aspire to be one day when I have my own kids. I can see why someone may see her as a poser of some sort but I think the reason is not a good one. She is a writer choosing to share parts of her life with us, just like any blogger does. You pick and choose; some use blogging to vent, others to ibspire, others to make people laugh.

Her life does seem perfect at times but its not. When visiting her blog, I feel happy and wishful and find myself noticing the small things too. You make an excellent point, Cathy, about how bloggers choose to share parts of their lives. I mostly really enjoy it. It loosens me up. She lets her kids jump on the bed.

These extra little things i really love. Her blog does exactly what it is supposed to do- celebrate the little things. For all of you putting trips on yourself you should stop. It is human nature I guess to tear down those with a winning attitude. Desperately trying to get pregnant each month my own experience.

I can only imagine the heartache she feels frequently. A husband that works a lot? Tough stuff. A gay father that left the family? Geez louise. I have no idea why I felt the need to post here. As I said, there are parts of her blog I dislike- especially the constant fishing for sponsers.

Anyway, I came upon your blog from it and I like your blog too. More to read. Thanks for visiting, Holly. I myself am an incurable optimist who still has had times of wallowing in the muck that life sometimes gives us….. I was frankly shocked to see this site listed in a search…. I would ask you to use your own name and share your thoughts in that authentic way instead of using this forum to encourage hurtful comments for someone who is after all just like us just trying to be a good Momma.

There are quite a few comments here — yays, nays, and everything in between. And also that Kelle has not written one post demeaning or putting down another persons blog. Which shows character that some others may lack. I think there are alot more things going on this world to put your attention towards than someone being to positive. But that is all that the choice of title reflects.

In addition, I moderated a comment that I felt crossed the line in its negativity. I encourage you to re-read the post and my comments only — you may find that what you believe I have asserted here is not, in fact, my position at all. We all have problems and focusing on them constantly is just depressing. In any case, I can say that she does not always focus on the positive. Her blog is a step above most blogs IMO. It is true that even in her birth story of Nella, she is definitely NOT sunshine and roses!

She is totally honest. They certainly are not perky, perfect or anything like that. She is enjoying the small things amidst the world of mundane or negative and she is sharing the things on her blog that bring her joy, however small. Yes, she has her struggles and difficulties. That has never been a part of her blog. Why even write this post? She is a mum with a blog. I find beauty and joy in the everyday see here , here , and here for a few examples and I share those experiences here, but I also choose to write about the challenges that come with raising children with special needs see here , here , and here for examples.

I choose to use my blog to raise awareness of issues like the r-word , the ethics of prenatal testing , and the power of language. You choose to use your blog for one thing and she chooses to write about other things. A little late but appreciated your post and wanted to respond. I have 2 kids, work full time and run a business of my own, and I still manage to make time to do special things with my kids.

Last Friday I shut my computer off 15 minutes early and took my kids on a sled to play in the in the little bit of snow we had on the ground. It was all of 20 minutes but I could write a blog post with pictures to make you think it was much more than that. My point? My second point is her blog is her job. She gets paid to post and attract readership- and I read it because I like seeing the fun things and places she does and goes. Does it make me feel inadequate? Not in the least- shes a stranger on the Internet who is providing a glimpse into her life.

She writes well and takes pretty pictures and gets paid to do it. Anywho, I look forward to being a new reader. What you tell your 10 yo is spot on, and is part of the greater message of THIS blog — respecting everyone, regardless of how they differ from you. Sorry Holly, I clearly missed it!

I think I was formulating a response in my mind as I was reading- it happens. Well said Melissa D!!!! And I love your insight into your life, how carving out 15 min for a sleigh ride is special time for your kids.

I am sure that is all KH gets to do sometimes and that is all your kids need sometimes as well. Sometimes being a mom really sucks. From her perspective it all seems so lovely and so very misleading. I have never ever thought that being a mom sucks. Do you guys seriously want pictures of her clogged toliets and kitchen trash? Dangerous was an interesting adjective and caught my attention too but it really is how you perceive her blog.

Although I would like to see her share her struggles more, I respect her decision not to do so. She chooses to blog…her family, not so much. Does NOT make me jealous of her. I think she makes it very clear through her posts that she admires and respects all mothers and the struggles we all go through. And as one poster said above, do you want to see pictures of clogged toilets and dog poop on the ground?

She shows plenty of pictures of piles of laundry and messy kitchens.