One of the camps Steven goes to in the summer put on a "Dancing with the Stars" dance for the kids on Friday night (no parents allowed). Steven loves to dance as most people with special needs do. I don't know why but they all love it. We decided the even though it was in Denver we just had to take him. He dressed in his Sunday best and off we went. We as we pulled up to the hotel I could feel my nerves starting to get the best of me. I don't know why, but I was so nervous about this. What if he didn't know anyone, what if no one talked to him? What if he was too embarrassed to dance? You know all the things mom's worry about.
As we walked in I could hear the music and see the balloons. It was much like a prom. Steven walked right up the registration table and told them his name, they gave him a name tag, took his picture with Hanna Montana (not the real thing, a cardboard cut out), and went straight in, right to the middle of the floor and started dancing. I stood their a little dazed and thought I can't just leave him. But as I watched I began to realize some of the benefits of having a disability (or in this case ability) like Down Syndrome. Steven wasn't worried about not knowing anyone, or if anyone would talk to him, or what people would think of his dancing. He knew he loved dancing and obviously everyone else there did too. So he got right too it. As I stood in the door watching this unfold I got a little misty in the eyes and had to act like nothing was wrong. As I said before I couldn't just leave him so I went in and got his attention and just as I was about to tell him Dad and I would be back in a little bit they began playing Summer Lovin from Grease (one of Stevens favorite movies and apparently one of everyone else’s), well he could have cared less if I ever came back at that moment. He started jumping up and down saying it's my song, it's my song. I told him we would be back later anyway and he said o.k. and kept right on dancing. Scott and I got to go out to dinner alone which was a treat, but I have to admit we were ready to get back to watch all the fun. When we got back Steven excitedly waved and brought Ashley (his new girlfriend) over to meet us. She was a volunteer there to help make sure everyone got involved and enjoyed themselves, and of coarse she was blond. Men definitely have their preferences. What a sweet girl. Any teen that will spend a Friday night making a difference in someone’s life is high on my list. After we met she went back to the dance floor followed closely by her admirer. Well just then the DJ played Your the One That I want, also from Grease. I saw Stevens shoulders start to shimmy and the next thing I knew his sport coat came flying over the crowd right into Scott’s arms. Why didn't I take the video camera! It was priceless. We saw many of his moves including a little break dancing. I am so sorry to those of you who want to kill me for not getting pictures. Hopefully we will get another chance.

Well that’s the latest in our lives. I will try not to let so much time go by between posts.