I was interviewed by AOL’s Parentdish last week.
Interview can be found on following link:
Blogger Kelle Hampton Touches World With Story of Down Syndrome – ParentDish
Happy Tuesday!
Enjoying the Small Things
I was interviewed by AOL’s Parentdish last week.
Interview can be found on following link:
Blogger Kelle Hampton Touches World With Story of Down Syndrome – ParentDish
Happy Tuesday!
congrats again!! it’s so impressive how many people you have reached with your story! I can’t wait to read your book!!
Your words and your photos are beautiful! I have shared your blog with several family members and friends in hopes that it would help them better understand my new journey with my son Sutter. I think you put into words what a lot of us are feeling or have at one time felt. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!!!
You are inspiring- thank you for the reminder that not only is it important to enjoy the little things, but the things that matter most in this life aren’t things.
Thank you for sharing your honest heart- it is so refreshing.
Thank you for doing what you do. I check your blog everyday! I also have a blog, that I started a few months back, telling my son Jake’s birth/life story as a way to cope. He was our surprise Down Syndrome angel. Just wanted to say Thank you, and keep up the good work telling the world how wonderful it is to have these little people in our lives!
Great Interview, Kelle! Your story is so beautiful and inspirational! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous family with the world! Not to mention those breathtaking photos! Keep them coming….:)
Hugs!
Bravo! I agree with SDM it is unbelievable that so many people have gotten to your blog! Im so happy for you! Now, your a celebrity. Next thing you know your gonna have a swarm of paparazzi outside of your house dying to get a glimpse of beautiful Nella and Lainey! I think you should come to our school and give modivational talks to everybody! Genius idea! Love you guys! Give Lainey and Nella a BIG BIG BIG squeeze from me! Muah!!!
Thank you so much for raising your voice for our children. I know you had no intentions of spreading like wild fire, but people love you , and you’ve risen to the challenge with grace and a whole lot of beauty.
People need to see that, yes! Ds is a blessing, as crazy as that sounds to people that are not in our shoes. It’s not a death sentence.
Do you realize that because of you, there may be a mom out there who chose life for her baby? You’re doing incredible things, just by being you! I think that’s a hoot!
Congratulations!! I am so happy that so many people get to hear your story.
Great interview, Kelle. You come across as just so “normal”, which I think is what draws all of us to you. You just have that raw honesty of what you are feeling – and are kind enough to share that. You are right, though, your girls will read back over your writings and realize one a whole new level what an amazing mom you really are. It’s a gift that your girls will treasure forever!
I’ve quit reading so many other blogs…they seemed just so trivial to me (“I have this”, “I want this”, etc., etc.) and your blog is, to me, what life is REALLY about…..just enjoying it and living it and loving it!
And you inspire me – in more ways than you can ever imagine. And I come away from reading your posts with a calmness, a peacefulness, and the thought throughout the day to just ENJOY it, whatever it is I may be doing that day! And when I lay my head down before sleep at night, I thank God for another wonderful day….full of just a bunch of small things! Peace & prayers!
Way to go, Kelle! 🙂
I am sitting here, with my sick baby snuggled into his sling, rocking back and forth and reading your blog…. every one of your posts brings tears to my eyes. Sometimes they are painful tears, sometimes they are beautiful tears.
I like your last sentence in the interview. Motherhood, indeed, is just fine. In fact, it is better than fine.
Love to you and your family from me and mine!
Nella gets more beautiful every time I come here. This trait must run in your family – lucky!!
Very heartfelt, just like always. I started reading your blog shortly after Nella’s story was published. So excited to see her progression, day by day. I even have to fill my husband in on her progress. Love each and every post.
Kelle,
I just read your Nella’s story on Donald Miller’s blog and when I was 3, my life was blessed with a baby sister with Downs. I have since written an unpublished Children’s book called “Special” about our story. My family has used it to teach the other kids in our family about Downs. I would love to email it to you…not so you can promote it or anything like that but simply for if you want to use it to teach your daughter that there are other big sisters like her, who are special enough that God has blessed our lives with a little sister with Downs. I am now 27 and my sister is 24 and she is the most loving and caring person I know.
You can email me if you would like me to email it to you.
I was blessed by your story and reading it helps me imagine what it was like for my mom when she was born.
Blessings,
Dori
As always, beautiful and eloquent. You just keep reaching out and grabbing those hearts chick!! After almost a year of having the extreme pleasure of enjoying your small (and oh so very big) things, I still drop whatever I am doing to run to the computer to take in each new post. Well…except in the car…not because I’m driving, but because I want to enjoy the pics for the first time on the big screen!!
xoxo,
nicole
Great interview. You should be proud the way you have touched so many and reminded us what is important. Perfection isn’t always perfect.
Awesome interview! You are truly an inspiration to me.. to remind me of how important it is to sit down and play house with my daughters or hopscotch or hide and seek. So, thank you for that.
Congrats with well deserved publicity! I love your blog, your pictures and your way of seeing life! I have told everybody I know about you and your story, we can all learn from you. Your girls are beautiful!♥ Best regards, Heidi from Norway
Congratulations on another great interview Kelle! You continue to inspire me daily to enjoy the little things with my daughter. I can’t wait to read your book!
that was a great article. i love reading your blog and appreciate you sharing with me.
what a beautiful interview!
i hope you never stop writing! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to ask for awhile if you will have more kids so that interview was great! And I agree, you and everyone else who goes through this, maybe even me will be fine. I wanted to tell you that I used to hate family gatherings. It was awful. I don’t know if it’s becoming a mom (my son was born January 9th), getting older, or reading your blog (heck maybe all of the above) but I had a family party last weekend and it was completely different. You helped me truly love my family, love the good and the bad, and it was an incredibly healing experience as my parents just divorced and things haven’t been good in the family for awhile now. Thank you for sharing your life with me and helping me learn that all things can be overcome with love.
So very very proud of you . . . that is a great interview. Wish I could have been at the christening – you are doing a great job Mom – love and miss u R
You are so eloquent! You were definitely blessed with the gift of words, and writing. I’ve told everyone I know about your blog. I can’t wait for your book! I so wish I could meet you in real life, and kiss your beautiful girls and give you a hug! You inspire me to really enjoy the small things, and when I am able to, life is so much better!
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Categories: Newborns, Pregnancy & Birth, Medical Conditions, Amazing Parents …
Amazing parents, LOVE that!!!!
#27?? I’ll take it…now I’ll go read! 🙂
Poppa’s words were so true..”You chose carefully my home”…God knew your talents and he knew Nella’s beauty and the combination is going to Rock the world! You and Nella are going to do something huge together, I just know it! I am as proud as if you were my own sister! Amazing how many peoples lives you and your little bunny has affected.♥
I think my favorite part of this journey, along with the love of your family the amazing way you attack life head-on and “watching” it all from afar is that you, my friend…remain you!!! Genuine and sincere and realistic. I love that!
Great interview! So so proud of you my ‘friend’. 🙂
Thank you for showing people just how beautiful life can be…with or without Down Syndrome!
Kelli @ http://livinglifewithes.blogspot.com
I have to agree with Naomi – the quote form you at the end of the interview – your advice for others who find themselves in similar shoes – is so true!! And as always beautifully said.
Wow – congrats! It has to feel wonderful that slowly, but surely, you are being discovered and your words are being heard/read all over the world. You write amazing and powerful things and I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you for putting yourself out there. I know there are probably times when you have questioned whether you wanted your blog to be a private blog amongst friends or a public blog for all to read. We appreciate you and all that you share with us.
Kelle – CNNI, Naples Daily News, AOL, and Donald Miller’s BLOG…YOU are ROCKIN’ it OUT!!! xoxo
Kelle have you received an outpouring from people in the Naples area too? Or is it more national? I am curious if your neighbors and those in Naples who didn’t know you before this, have stumbled upon your story and reached out locally?
As always, great interview. 🙂
I doubt that you will ever know the extent to which you have helped and inspired other people. The world would be a beautiful place if there were more people like you. I love reading your story and seeing your pictures. So beautiful!!!!
Thank you for sharing that with us. I have to make a confession…Sometimes (ok most days) I turn to your website and listen to your playlist in the back while I’m sewing or folding laundry or just playing with my gals! Thanks for the great list…I’ve made it all the way through your 102 songs a couple times. It plays ALL day!
I am proud of you, Kelle…I didn’t know about this one. Your answers were naturally delivered and your continuing poise and personablility reminds others just how real and relaxed this enchanted journey is. You set the pace. Yes, sometimes I just go to Google and start typing Nella Cordelia…and smile seeing where she is and where she is going. Tiny little crease marked hands touch old hardened hearts and teach them to cry again. Little almond eyes invite those who thought themselves wise to learn even more. Those tiny, wrinkled feet lead us on a path to rediscover the bliss and beauty of simple, sweet life. You are bold and brave to be willing to hold her high and introduce her little loveliness to a world pursuing perfection…and they…they recognize it was there all along.
Everytime I read your blog or watch or read your interviews, I end up crying. You express everything about that little extra chromosome so beautifully. I sometimes wish I couldn’t relate to what you are going through. I have learned so much about life in the few months since my little guy has been around and I almost feel lucky in a way to be learning “more” about life because of him. Nella is such a beautiful little girl and you can really tell she fits perfectly into your family. I am glad you have that amazing little girl. Nella really is a rockstar!
My first time leaving a comment but i come to your blog every day, several times a day actually and have read all the way back to your first.
I had a child in Feb 2007 and also i had a daughter Jan 25 2010, so i like seeing the changes Nella is going through and celebrate them with my daughter too.
I never was one to take pictures, but your blog has been an inspiration to me and I am now taking pictures of the fun things we do each day and i am loving it and i hope one day my kids will too.
I also have started making little projects with my son, like we are creating a “grocery store” after seeing the beautiful kitchen set you made for Lainey..Just the “small things” that make the days so much fun.
From a fellow 31 year old…you are doing wonderful and I can feel the love you have for your family and it makes me want to do better, even love my husband better after seeing the love you have for Brett.
I cant wait to see where this blog takes you and also see the pictures from Laineys Fairy birthday party.
Much Love from Ontario Canada and please keep the wonderful stories coming, they makes the late night nursing sessions fly by.
Great interview, Kelle! Checking your blog has become a routine for me each day. Precious, precious little girls! 🙂
One of the things that I have enjoyed the most about your blog is how the complete upheaval of your expectations has smoothed out into the normal bumpy road of newborns and motherhood and good days and bad days.
This interview has especially shown that.
Poppa, I love the correlations between hands and hearts, feet and roads, eyes and invitations.
Wow – glad to see that the optimism and strength displayed in your blog is reaching so many people! When I read your blog I feel like I’ve made a new friend 🙂
I have been reading your blog for over a year now yet this is my first comment. Mainly because my words cannot rival yours. You have inspired me to being blogging. I do not have children of my own but I run a group home and have four precious teenagers I care for. I am also married and have 6 fur children. You have inspired me to write down these simple/crazy/silly times so I can look back on them and enjoy the small things 😀 and someday tell my own children how mama and daddy were crazy before they came along! I believe Lainey and Nella are two of the most gorgeous girls and can only hope our children are that adorable! They are blessed to have such a talented mother and loving father and brothers.
Great job with this interview! I’m so happy that I found your blog. It’s been such a blessing in my life. Your words inspire me. Your attitude inspire me. Your love for life and all the small things inspire me. (and your photographs inspire me to get a better camera!! Thank goodness Mother’s Day is right around the corner!!)
Oh my gracious what beautiful girls you have! How sweet that big sister shared her puppy with baby…and I must say “nellabean” is THE cutest nickname I’ve ever heard. When I first read your story, a quote from a recent movie came to mind, “different, not less.” In your case? I believe different — MORE! With your attitudes these girls will thrive..both of them. I’m now an addicted reader…by the way the photos are BEAUTIFUL.
What an amazing interview! Your grace, strength, compassion, and love continue to surprise me with every post. You are an amazing mother!
Morning Kelle..just a little funny your way…imagine my surprise when I standing in my kitchen packing Gracee’s lunch and I heard from our den the music to your blog..HA..she has found you in our favorites and started her day with you! Oh my if she asks for a cup of cappuccino with her blogging I will be scared..oh how our littles watch us. The best part is she said “awhh…it is the same as the blog yesterday”! Seven years old and she is a future blogger. ♥
loved the interview. great job!
You are just so real!!!
Beautiful interview- job well done, maybe even better then the first!
You Rock sister!
Few words I have for you.. your baby is beautiful and I love your hair!
Found your blog through Donald Miller!
God bless,
Christine
Wonderful interview, you have such a way with words (AS YOU KNOW 😉 )… You could do a blog post someday about how this has changed you (you said it changed you to the core)- those kind of reflections are the hardest to write but very rewarding… I found this when I wrote about how the birth of my first daughter changed me, it was so hard to put into words but felt so good as I was getting it out.
Happy Wednesday 🙂
GREAT interview!.Be very proud. My favorite part is this:
‘It has changed me to the core. I’ve learned how “pain” shapes you as a person and propels you to new depths and how “perfection” is not the glossy magazine cover that Hollywood portrays. I’m learning to shed off the shallow parts of my character I’ve adopted over the years and replace them with love and appreciation for real, painful, beautiful life.’ These are powerful words, so much wisdom here. I will definitely buy your book 😉
“When you experience your wisdom and the power of things as they are, together, as one, then you have access to tremendous vision and power in the world. You find that you are inherently connected to your own being. That is discovering magic.” Chogyam Trungpa
Great interview! You speak with such grace!
Kelle–I LOVE reading your blog, I check it everyday! I have never been a blogger, nor do I read any of my close friends blogs. You have touched my heart and I’ve told everyone I know to read this blog. I’m a mom of two, just recently had my second child in Feb. The way you put your emotions into words is truely brilliant! Some days I’ve sat here with tears running down my face reading this blog, and on other days, have cracked out loud laughing. It’s so comforting knowing other people feel the same way I do. You have an amazing family. Thank you for sharing your world!
I just love your nuanced thoughts about Holland. My 2 year old daughter has Williams Syndrome (a rare genetic syndrome, a genetic deletion rather than an addition). My husband is from Ireland and we were visiting his family just after Aoife was diagnosed (at 18 months). It was a hard trip. His family is lovely and they love Aoife, but it still felt as if they were looking at her as if she were a different child than before. Towards the end of our visit my husband and I did a quick trip to Amsterdam for a conference (planned before we knew anything about Williams Syndrome). It was June and the Irish weather did not follow us there! It was beautiful and sunny and in our first free moment we wandered around the lovely streets eating fabulous frites. As we passed their stunning Opera building, we came across nearly 100 huge (about ten feet tall) black and white photographs of diverse and beautiful children, all of whom had an extra chromosome. They lined a whole series of canals. Underneath their pictures were varying quotes from their parents about how they were proud, how much they had learned, and the joy that their children brought them. It had been a very difficult trip for me. But that moment in Amsterdam, looking at all those wonderful children, larger than life, brought me a lot of peace.
What a great interview! You said, “I think the reason this story has gone “global” is perhaps because I talked about things that not everyone is comfortable talking about’. I have to tell you that it Nella’s story was different because of your incredible gift with putting into words all of the emotions that we each went through but were unable to describe. Your entry let everyone understand what it feels like to give birth to a child with Down syndrome. I also loved what you said about the things that have changed since Nella was born. It made me realize what a shallow person I had been–basing so much on looks and intelligence with my own children. Morgan opened my eyes to true beauty and perfection. I am a completely different person because of Morgan. A better person.
real, inspiring, and beautiful just like you!
Awesome!! I hope you never stop writing. I will go out and buy your book the day it is on shelves!! I hope you include beautiful pictures like those in your blog!! I look forward to reading more!
Love you Kelle. Wish I could give you a huge hug and have Nella and our little Jack play together. Keep writing!
So fun! You are a rockstar all because of your rockstar daughter!
AND I am your good Friend! I guess I am a rockstar too!
xoxoxoxo
Love you
Nella’s birth story was beautifully written. Your honesty is what made it so compelling for me. I would love to read Lainey’s birth story as well but can’t find it in your archives. Could you post a link to it?
Your blog would have been such a comfort to me when I was pregnant-if only your Nella was 18 months older!! 🙂 You are doing something so wonderful and special for mothers you will probably never meet, may never know exist.
I loved the newest interview-mothers of children with Down syndrome WILL be “more than fine.” Hugs!!
Thank you, Anonymous! Lainey’s Birth Story can be found here:
https://kellehampton.com/2009/01/twenty-one-months-later-birth-story.html
And to the other Anonymous (ha…we need a comment chatroom for all you lovelies!), No offense at all at your correction! I really am learning so much about Down syndrome and want to “do you all proud!” I felt proud the other day correcting someone that it isn’t “Down’s”…just “Down.” So, I’m learning.
Your honesty touches my heart again and again. At the risk of sounding cheesy, your simple reminders to slow down and love have really changed my perspective, and came a pivotal time in my marriage and parenting. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Great job on the interview. You have such a wonderful way with words… your honesty is so very touching & inspiring, as always!
Cheers,
Kate
Your family is beautiful and your blog is inspirational. Saw this featured on the front page of etsy today and thought of you:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23281917&ref=fp_feat_9
I’ve been listening to your music today, and I just realized that one song you have on here is from a youtube video. (Noah takes a picture of himself everyday for 6 years)! I laughed b/c my brain actually remembered that! 🙂
LOVE your tunes.
Kelle,
What a lovely interview. You are so articulate and eloquent in expressing yourself. I will be first in line to buy any book you write. I love seeing the world through your eyes via your blog and words; rich, raw and full of depth, hope, thankfulness and color. Anyways, love it, love it! 🙂 xo M.
Congratulations on your beautiful new baby and lovely daughter. Any mother should be so blessed they are such angels. Love the beautiful photos – my first visit here.
You are on the front page of AOL’s homepage! Your strength and look on life are a great inspiration. Reading your blog always brings a smile to my face.
I love you Kelle! Thank you for being so “honest” and vulnerable in your writing. You’re right, the things you write about are the same things that we all experience in day to day lives with our families. It is so beautiful. You just express things in a way that is amazing to read. Thank you.
Ah! Your story is on the AOL HOME PAGE! Get ready for a surge!
:o)
Great interview, Kelle! You are an inspiration.
Oh what a wonderful world you have entered! I haven’t had a chance to read your blogs yet but I will. My wonderful, beautiful, silly Lillie came into this world 4 years ago as a surprise Down syndrome baby and I never realized how much she would change things. She has been a blessing to our family much as Nella will be to yours. Congrats!!
Lovely interview, Kelle.
So glad that there is yet one more way for your story to touch others’ lives.
Thank you for answering the questioning about testing…I’ve been so curious. Since I’ve always been “AMA” (35 and over) having my babies, I’ve always had the testing done.
It wasn’t until this pregnancy that a “problem” has arisen. And you are sooooo correct! I wish so often that I hadn’t gotten those results of 1:17 for Down Syndrome at only 12-weeks pregnant!
I’ve been on a roller coaster of emotions since then…I’ll be 21-weeks tomorrow and I really do use your blog as reminder to stay calm, accept what God has given, and see the positive that can result from this sweet little life…Down Syndrome or not.
Take care,
Valerie
I’m a first-time reader of your blog. I came here from your parentdish interview.
I must say, that interview was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever read.
I wish you & your beautiful daughters the best!
This was my bible verse of the day today, and it made me think of your first night with Nella:
“. . . weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
–Psalm 30:5
The joy sure did come, didn’t it? 🙂 Beautiful family!
Hi Kelle,
I have never read a blog before but I read your story on AOL today and was led to your blog. You are an amazing mother and person and were obviously chosen to be Nella’s mother because she deserves someone extraordinary and special to care for her. Your story is inspiring. I am blessed with two daughters, too and I just love the perfectly, simple normal days with them.
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy and thank you for sharing your story with the world. It is heart warming to read your words and view your beautiful, uplifting pictures that depict what life is all about!
LT
Ok this is so random and very crazy but I just learned that we’re very loosely connected! Your dad’s brother is my cousin’s uncle (not my uncle though). Anyway, I hope I’m not a creeper for telling you this, I just got really excited,
Like many others, I was led to your blog via AOL. I have to say that your story of your beautiful family is so very touching. Your blog is amazing with such captivating pictures. I wish your family many continued blessings in the future, and plan to continue to follow your story. I hope to have such heartwarming experiences with children of my own someday.
Your little baby girl is just gorgeous!! I was very touched by your story and you sound like a wonderful person and she is so lucky to have you as a mom!! I am a mom of two girls as well so you are an inspiration! Enjoy her and remember she is just a special girl who will bring much happiness to you and you family!!
Your blog is amazing and so is sweet Nella. I have a nephew with Downs who is turning 28 tomorrow. Jamie has been such a blessing to our family and to anyone who ever met him. He has the most dynamic personality and knows everyone in the town where he lives. I will never forget his high school graduation, he got a standing ovation that lasted 5 minutes while he walked down the aisle with a smile from ear to ear. Like I told my brother 28 years ago, God looked down and said I am going to give Kelle a special angel because I know she will know how to love and care for it. Thank you for sharing your life!
I just read your interview dish. A friend forwarded it to me. I loved your words. We too have a beautiful baby girl named emma Grace that was born with Mosaic Down Syndrome. Such a blessing. Please take a look at our blog to see a beautiful picture of our seet darling. The pictures are sure not as nice as yours. I would love to sit down and have a cup of coffee with you and tell you all I have learned in the last three years. Maybe someday. And for you to take some pictures of our darlings. so happy to have found your blog
Welcome to Holland! It is a great place. We unexpectantly landed here 8 years ago. Your family is beautiful. You are going to have good days, sad days and great days from now on. The sad days will grow shorter as time goes by. Celebrate every little thing! I know that sharing your story will help many people. God Bless.
Amazing job kelle! I also saw what Donald Miller wrote on his blog about you guys.. pretty cool!!!
hope you’re having a good night!
xo
Kelle!
SO I just signed in to AOL to check my mail and there you were! OMG – how amazing. The little “stores” that scroll across – amazing!!! The whole world will know about you before too much longer!
Sue
I know you have heard it all before. But “Thank you”. Thank you for reminding all of us what it is really about. Thank you for inspiring us to photograph the every day moments and not just the special occasions because those common moments are often unexplainably spectacular.
I BELIEVE YOUR STORY POPPED UP AND I READ IT FOR A REASON. CRIED! I’VE TRIED TO FIND A WAY TO CONTACT YOU FOR 1.5 HRS! I AM AN OB/GYN NURSE PRACTITIONER IN NAPLES/FT. MYERS AND I TOO KNOW BOTH DR. FOLEYS-WONDERFUL PEOPLE. FIRST, YOU ARE AMAZING. SECOND, I WONDERED IF YOU HAVE MET MY NP FRIEND JENNIFER STANLEY? SHE HAS A CHILD WITH T21(DS)-WHOM SHE ADORES AND BELIEVES HE IS AN AMAZING GIFT-AND SHE HAD TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT DECISION AT 18 WEEKS PREG. YOU WOULD LOVE HER! SHE WORKS AT NCH, AND THE MEDICAL BLDG THE FOLEYS USED TO BE IN-1ST FLOOR. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT I AM SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU THIS, AND STAYED UP WAY TOO LATE BECAUSE OF THAT NAGGING FEELING. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, I WILL GIVE YOU HER PHONE NUMBER. AS A 38 YEAR OLD WOMAN, I’M VERY SCARED TO HAVE A FAMILY BECAUSE OF HOW YOU FIRST FELT, BUT JENNIFER AND YOU ARE SO AMAZING AND TEACH US SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY! BONNIE
I logged onto AOL and imagine my surprise- there you were with your gorgeous girls!!! Great interview and I am so happy that your beautiful story has touched so many!!!
kelle…read this hours ago and was so struck by the comment “I’ve learned how “pain” shapes you as a person and propels you to new depths and how “perfection” is not the glossy magazine cover that Hollywood portrays. I’m learning to shed off the shallow parts of my character I’ve adopted over the years and replace them with love and appreciation for real, painful, beautiful life.”
Just possibly some of the best words even written. I read it early this morning and it got me through an unusually hard tearful day. I have read it about a hundred times today…made it my facebook status (in quotes with your name!!!) and am gonna share it with our MOPS(mothers of preschoolers) group tomorrow…..
kelle you are amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You have very beautiful children. I am glad God did not put you through the pain I felt. My baby Wyatt was born for child as much as rever asleep September 19 2008. he died of down’s syndrome. I know you will cherish your children as much as I cherish mine, because you have been given a true gift from God! Have a wonderful day!
You are blessed. TRULY BLESSED. Your family is beautiful and He is faithful to those who seek HIM! Congrats on your beautiful new baby girl!
Kelle,
Nella is absolutely beautiful! My sister Sheila has Down Syndrome. She is the light of our lives. We just celebrated her 45th birthday! She enjoys life every day! God truly sent us an angel. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Nora
God Bless You, wonderful mother! You are filled with courage and strength. I am a mother of a beautiful son and daughter. While pregnant with my daughter, I was scared into thinking she may be born with Down’s Syndrome because she had one of the “markers” for it. My daughter does not have Down’s Syndrome. It could have went one way or the other, but it didn’t matter to me. I’d love my daughter the same either way, and thank God for her precious life every day!
What a beautiful gift you have been given. I adopted my son with Downs Syndrome as a single dad. He is the love of my life along with his brothers. He has truly been a gift to our family like all my children but Colby has this prescence about him. My grandmother always said “Downs Syndrome children are Angels unaware” and I truly believe that. I hope to adopt again one day and plan on getting my name back on the list for adopting a child with Downs Syndrome. Thank you for your story as it has and will continue to touch many lives.
Thank you so much for sharing the amazing pictures of your beautiful daughters and family… I am a mom of a 6-month old and you have inspired me to tears… bless you
Such a remarkable woman. May she be the inspiration for others who need character and insight. It is also unique that she didn’t want a “test”. Such a remarkable woman. Her husband, family and the world are all very fortunate to have her in it.
New follower of your blog, I LOVE your pictures and your story. My husband and I are inspired by your photography skills.
Beautiful pictures, really beatiful pictures. It makes me so happy, and it makes me want the summer to come even more.
In Norway we still have winter and snow. But in a few months it will be different.
Those bonnets are so sweet.
I love your blogg, reading every post:)
Wish you a lovely day!
Love Vivian from Norway
Your story has truly touched my heart! The unconditional love we have for our children is amazing and that is shining out through you every day. Your girls are simply precious 🙂
Just lovelovelove the pictures! Nothing better than little girl shadows, swinging high, and dancing in the sprinklers. I think my fav’s though are of Nella on her tummy head lifted looking for momma. My kids are all adults, how I miss that sweet little head lift! How blessed you are!
I happened on your blog via AOL just last evening and I am so touched and inspired by your story and your lust for life and your family, your beautiful family.
Thank you for sharing your story with the world. Your words are enlighting and your pictures are so sweet and beautiful.
Your girls are so precious and beautiful! I love seeing pictures of sweet little Nella, she is an angel! You’re my new favorite blog and when I was first linked to it I read it all the way to your first post because you are such an awesome writer! Thanks for sharing your world with us!
I read the article on parentdish, and had to check out your blog! This was my first post to read, and it is beautiful. you have beautiful daughters, and an eye for photgraphy. Thank you for sharing your story with the world!
I love reading your blog! Your girls are beautiful! Andrea
Your Mamalove sparkles throughout the pictures (and words) in this blog. Although admittedly, my vision is somewhat impaired by my swollen eyes having just cried my way through the story of Nella’s birth. Bless you! I can say no more.
Reading your blog always tugs at my heart and puts a smile on my face…and reinforces how beautiful life is! Thank you for stirring such wonderful emotions in me ♥
I read your blog for the first time and couldn’t sleep. I was so moved by your story. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
{{{{HUGS}}}}}
Kelle-every day I look forward to your posts and so many times during the day I make choices that have been inspired by you. I take more time to enjoy my beautiful children and seize the moment more than ever before, so thank you!
Thank you, Kelle, for the lovely interview and for being so open and generous. Wishing you all the best in the future — keep us posted at ParentDish and let us know what you are up to!
I tagged you with the Honest Scrap award.
http://katslittleblog.blogspot.com/
Kelle,
You are such an inspiration in so many ways! I always look forward to reading your words and seeing your beautiful images at then end of the day.
🙂
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I stumbled upon your blog yesterday and was captivated by your love for your beautiful babies. Your positive outlook on life is so refreshing. May more people look at life in the way that you do and may all babies be loved as much as you love your gorgeous girls! Your happiness and love radiate from your words and are so inspiring!
Wonderful interview, Kelle. So refreshing and real. I know you are so grateful and blessed with all the positive support and feedback you are receiving, but do you ever wish you could go back to the days where the comments to your postings consisted of family conversations, inside jokes and goofy back and forth banter between family and friends? Looking back at your way back when postings, you were able to reply to your comments and interact. Your family could enjoy the “closeness” of your blog. Do you ever feel like you’re posting to satisfy your followers instead of posting to keep family visually close to your daily life? Has this become or ever felt like a “job” to you? I know that I am just one person, but for as much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE your amazingly BEAUTIFUL, poetic, additive, squeeze the feelings out of my core blog, I would be willing to let it go if it meant you had your meaningful small moments back into the palm of your hand instead of the palm of the “world”. I find it interesting that your posting on “A Celebration of Life” currently has 271 comments. Your posting for the free giveaway currently has 1340 postings. How can that be? I would think that the most beautiful day in the Hampton’s life would be flooded with thousands of heart warming comments. Does seeing that high comment number for the giveaway posting make you feel commercialized? Give us the low down, Kel.
Kelle, thank you for so much for sharing your “purposeful journey” with us. I’m so happy to “see” you are so loved by your family and friends.
It is amazing how Nella’s birth story has touched so many lives, there are 2273 comments and counting 🙂 🙂 🙂
I can “feel” the love in anything you do.
“Out beyond ideas
of wrong doing and right doing,
There is a field.
I’ll meet you there.”
Rumi
I could just bath in your blog all day…:)
Another page stopper! I better get your autograph now…
xo, Bug and Ruby’s Gram
ps….Beautiful photo of all three of you 🙂
Kelle – I love your story and I love how much you love your children. I am a mother of 3 and feel so many of the same feeling you write down and share with all of us. I am a photographer myself and you have totally inspired me to take more pictures of my kids and cherish those little moments. I get so excited to see what each day (post) will bring and I am so grateful that you decided to share. I love your Lainey and Nella what special gifts they both are. Thanks! – Utah Photographer
I log on to read Rosie, you know, Rosie from TV show, I like to check out her blog. And you know who she is featuring, suggesting we read….YOU!!!
Kelle Hampton, a link to Nella’s birth story.
Oh, yeah, Nella and her story, CNN, Rosie, you better get a publisher lined up for her book and quick secure the movie rights…BIG, rock star big, and you knew at the time of her birth that greatness would come of Nella.
I can’t figure who is more blessed, you, Nella or me for having the privilege to be part of her story if only by reading your blog. Yep, she is an earth angel, here to let the blind see, to show us LOVE, the kind spoken of in the big book but none of us mortals seeems to get very well. Cheers to Nella.
MJ
Kelle…..Did you see that Rosie O’Donnel now has a link from her site to yours….She says.. read this… WOW!!!
Welcome to Hollywood!!!
As I’ve told you before, you have a BEAUTIFUL blog! And your children are absolutely adorable. May God keep them safe always!
I have a question for you and I do hope your able to answer. I recently bought a nikon d90 and when i upload the photos to my computer, it puts a jpeg and a raw photo. The lighting is slightly different in each. Why does it do this? Which one is better to use? What is the point of each?
If you could please get back to me I would GREATLY appreciate it! You can leave a comment with your answer on my blog (i wont publish it) if you don’t mind. Im anxious to hear 😉 thank you so much!
The best written birth story ever. Thanks for sharing. <3
Thank you, as always, for sharing your life story with all of us. You really are so inspiring.
Hi Kelle – as a fellow mom to a child with Ds, I love reading your blog and enjoy sharing in your outlook on life. The National Down Syndrome Congress conference is in Orlando this summer. I hope you’ll be able to make it. It really is america’s biggest family reunion and a weekend I look forward to each year.