Jillian Benfield might be a young mother, but that doesn't mean she hasn't already gone through enough experiences to last most of us a lifetime!
Benfield's story begins in late 2013; she used to be a local news reporter in Georgia, but when her Air Force husband was shipped off to Las Vegas, she decided to follow him for her next big adventure. With a beautiful 2-month-old baby girl in tow, this little family was excited to begin their lives together in a brand new and exciting place!
After living it up in Vegas for a year, the family moved to New Mexico on the very same day that they learned they were pregnant again! As they got together all of their plans and got the nursery prepared, it was on a routine checkup that this young mother received some devastating news. Like the mother who learned that her baby was going to be sick his whole life, it seemed as if everything was going to be different.
Since that diagnosis, her life has changed dramatically but she's doing her best to keep up with all of her thoughts. True to her journalist roots, Benfield has kept up a blog of her family's high points and lows along with her thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams.
She writes about life, parenting, recipes, being a military mom, and above all else, she explains how important faith has been to keep her strong throughout this journey.
Please read Jillian's touching story below!
For five years, Jillian Benfield was a familiar and welcome face on news broadcasts ranging from Georgia to South Carolina.
But mere months after having their beautiful daughter Violet, Jillian's husband, Andy, had to go to Las Vegas for a dental residency program for the United States Air Force.
A self-described "workaholic," Jillian quit her job in order to be a stay at home mom. The young family eventually had to move again, this time to New Mexico. It was on moving day that they found out they were pregnant again!
But it was during a routine checkup to find out the baby's gender that the young parents received some shocking news about their unborn baby boy.
"I have sobbed more in the past week than I have in my whole life. I have lashed out at family members. I have failed. But, I know, that despite my failures, God still loves me. I know that we have not been forsaken. I know that my son has not been forsak
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It turned out that her unborn son had Down syndrome. She kept up a happy smile in public, but behind closed doors this young mom went through all the emotions; she was angry at all of the dreams that were shattered, hopeless for the future, she felt despair. Will her son be made fun of? Will her son be able to achieve independence?
Jillian was plagued with questions. Was it her fault? Was God punishing her for her sins? Was this a test?
With so much up in the air, it's no wonder that Jillian had so many fears and doubts. Were they moving again? Will her son even be loved?
But then Jillian realized something more important than anything else... "I know that if he is born with Down Syndrome we will all face many challenges ahead, but no matter what, he will be loved."
Click the NEXT page to see what they named their newborn baby boy!
Meet little Anderson Benfield! On the very last day of 2014, this little bundle entered the world.
Though there were some initial struggles, little Anderson is growing and learning at his own pace. And 5 months and 2 days after he was born yet another milestone was met. A complete stranger walked up to the new mother and complimented the adorable baby, “he has the most interesting almond-shaped eyes.”
Jillian is learning every day, and is proud to tell people from all over the world about Anderson: "All humans are born with different abilities and limitations, so are people with Down syndrome... I know this boy is going to do amazing things."
"I said all along that our son would be a blessing whether he had Down syndrome or not. But he’s not only a blessing…he is a miracle. He has changed my heart. He has opened my mind. He has made me better. I know his work isn’t done. I know I will continue
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