Spring Sunshine

The sunlight was so yummy, I wanted to eat it!  What is it about Spring time that makes me feel so at peace?  Sitting on the crunchy grass with peeps of green coming through makes me so excited for the months to come.  Our long walk was perfect.  Carsen was white knuckled on his trike.  Pure happiness oozing out of his smile.  Our stupid dog, Saige, ran around very nicely and listened every time her name was called.  No wind, just sunshine and the evening to drag out because there is so much more sunlight.  

Carsen played in the mulch like a little boy should.

 I love seeing his red, warm finger tips.

Bring on Spring.  Our neighbors took down their snow fence today...They better not jinx us.

Birthday Fun!

There is nothing better in the world than neighbors.  One of them just dropped of a warm, loaf of 7-grain bread.  Heavenly!  Lastnight, another neighbor dropped off a a birthday present for Carsen.  Carsen was so excited to get this big huge ball and awesome magnetic turtles to play with in the tub, that he barely noticed that his neighbor friend was here to play.  They ended up chasing each other around the living room and had such a blast with each other!

There is nothing better than making a visit to Carsen's classroom to teach hand washing!  He wouldn't stop looking at me and I just wanted to go hold him!

Our other neighbors helped us celebrate Carsen's birthday and eat this fabulous DQ cake!  It was extra special because Carsen's cousins Abby and Jett got to celebrate with us!

Grandpa came to visit me for my birthday!  Lots of giggles, smiles and rough play!  

Did I mention giggles?  Carsen and his daddy giggle all evening long!  What an awesome birthday!

Carsen's actual party is next weekend!!  Be prepared for a lot of pics!!!

FOUR!

Carsen is four years old today!! ugh!
I am so excited to celebrate his birthday that I wish we had more than one day!  Last night, I sat and ate some chocolate ice-cream, reminding myself what I was doing exactly 4 years ago.  Cleaning my house like a mad woman because I was due in a week and wanted my WHOLE house clean.  By 11:00 pm my house was the cleanest it had ever been!  I went to bed and felt that first hard core contraction.  "Crap, I was nesting, cleaned for four hours and was suppose to be saving my energy!"  The rest of the night wasn't easy as was the whole next day.  I am gonna be honest, it was the worst day of my life until I saw that chubby little Matt look a like.

I think chubby is an understatement!

Matt was so happy to finally hold his little boy, crying tears of joy!

Our past four years have been such a whirlwind of emotions.  When I look at Carsen today, I see the happiest little boy.  Full of life, full of energy and love for everything.  I would have never guessed having a child would make me so proud and give me so much meaning in life.  My life began the day Carsen was born.  God had a plan for our family.  He has changed me into a completely different person.  God gave us Carsen's situation to mold me into a mother with an astounding amount of patience.  I always try to put myself in someone else's shoes before judging them.  I see the good in people when before I may have been quick to judge.  I appreciate the little things.  I am able to acknowledge the hard working people I am surrounded by.  I recognize the need for my family and the amount of support I receive from each and every one of them in their own ways.  I feel a hope that is never ending.  I am changed because of Carsen.  That 8 lb 5 oz baby may have come into this world difficulty, but sure has made a huge impact in many lives.

Today, I feel blessed to watch Carsen walk while holding one hand.  He is learning to balance.  He is a goofy giggle bug that loves to push his parents heads together to make us kiss and then laughs his butt off.  He has that look in his eye that tells you, "I know whats going on mom, just be patient with me!"  He makes me cry every time I get that look.  He is loving feeding himself with a fork, sipping from a straw, and just plain making a big mess with every meal.  School is probably his favorite place to go to, then followed by his daycare friends.  I can tell he is recognizing his friends around him and smiles at them like he appreciates them.  Swimming is his favorite activity.  Not sure if it is because his dad is with him or if he really likes the water that much!  He is learning to hold his breath under water and is catching on with every dunk. ( Don't worry mom, it is just a quick dunk!)

Happy Birthday to my buddy!!  I am so proud to call you my son and look forward to seeing you later today!! Thank you for teaching me the most important lessons in life.  Love, no matter what.  Be patient, always, and Thank God for ALL our blessings!  I love you!!!

As we wait...#2

A whole year has passed since our last neurology appt!  We pull into Noran Neurological Center in Minneapolis with a whole new attitude.  As a family of three we have come so far!  Our last visit here was so heart warming and difficult at the same time.  With the confidence the three of us Schmidgall's had walking into that office, I didn't possibly think that I could be touched as much as I was one year ago.  I can't figure out whey I think I can't be changed any further.  Why I believe I am so used to our life that no one else can touch my soul.  Why is it that I believe I have cried all my tears but to form new ones?  I am touched once again.  I wish I could copy and paste my feelings into this post.  The atmosphere of the neurological center is one I have never once experienced before and I wish more people could be touched in their lives like I have.  Yes, I believe I am one blessed mother and wouldn't change Carsen for the world.  I would just want to make life easier for him.

Matt carries Carsen up the flight of stairs as I tag a long, contently.  We see a small girl all dressed in pink.  Her mother is by her side to push her in her rather large wheelchair.  She doesn't even have the muscle tone to open her eyes and she needs supports surrounding her just to hold her head up.  I wonder what life must be like for her.  Not able to communicate even with a blink of an eye.  I pray for her.  That could be any one of us or any one of our children.  God give her mother peace.

As we go through the sliding doors to check in, we stand behind the most beautiful little boy.  The video cameras in the place would have spotted me with a huge smile.  He was beautiful and looked just like Carsen. I am not kidding.  He had the smile of a little boy that just enjoyed life the way it is and will be forever.  He used his automatic wheelchair with a joystick and made his way through the very large waiting room.  By now he caught on that I adored him.  He kept turning his head to see me and then would come stroll by in his wheelchair to get closer.  Matt walks up to his mom and asks, "How old is he?"  "Nine." She said.  Then he says, "He is someone that inspires us!"  We were both in awe of this kid.  He is called away for his appt and I immediately begin to sob.  As I can hardly hold back the tears and full blown emotion, Matt and I visit about how much he is like Carsen.  How blessed we would feel so see Carsen be independent like that someday.  I am touched in my life just briefly by this kid.  A child that has so many more stresses and no body control, carries a smile like that?  I am inspired beyond words.

As another small girl screams continuously for who knows what reason, as we are called in by Dr. Burstein.  Matt says I flirt with this 60 year old guy.  It cracks me up.  He is such a special doctor in our life.  He has listened to our every hurt and understands it.  To feel understood is such a wonderful feeling.  He has basically counseled us through our hardest moments and now can see a change in us.  In our 20 minute conversation with him we get compliments from him.  Compliments on our parenting, our decisions, or goals, our future, our family and the small details with Carsen.  I know he can see the change in us.  The positive attitude.  Our willingness to move forward in life.  The love we have for our little boy.  The compassion we have for those with special needs.  I am so happy to be on the other end of the crazy grieving process.  It is my greatest accomplishment and it feels fabulous.  Beyond ever finishing any half marathon, or triathlon, or 10K race.  God has been good to us!

As Carsens little head is measured I begin to tell Dr. Burstein how I think every parent should sit in that dreadful waiting room.  He is slightly puzzled by this.  I suppose it would seem harsh.  I don't mean it that way.  I know how I feel every time I am there.  Blessed, but reminded that Carsen's life will always be difficult.  There is no better lesson in our life.  To feel blessed because there is always someone that has it so so so much worse and someone that has it better.  It is what you make of your situation.  Complaints get me no where in life.  He then says to me, "I think there are many parents in that waiting room that wish they were you guys."  I agreed with him.  Even though Carsen cannot walk, talk or feed himself, he is able to smile, giggle, joke around, scoot and bring so much joy through his silly personality. As a family, we are hurting far less than many of those other parents or children that are actually having to live in a body with little control.  

These are the lesson's in life that are worth writing and sharing.   Special needs children that change a person.  They change me in a split second and I will never forget how brave they have to be in order to enjoy their life.  God is good!

My Inspiration

I was inspired today.  So much, that I feel the need to share it with my readers.

I witnessed true courage.  I have a lot of pictures to prove it but will keep them to your imagination.

There are always wonderful moments of opportunity to witness courage at any marathon or triathlon.

The grueling attempts to swim, then climb on a bike, and finish running at a pace never done before, is beyond hard work.  There are times in life when people give up.  Easily.  But, there are times in life when people don't give up.  They show me Courage.  Strength.  Determination.  Stubbornness.  I am inspired today by that person who showed me just that.  I am reminded about putting life into perspective.  Each and everyday is a challenge, just as a triathlon.  You prepare for it.  You have good days and bad days.  To many average people, those bad days are wished away.  I have learned that those bad days need to be cherished and thought upon.  Learn from it.  Move on.  And you will find a stronger person.  One with more strength than ever before.

While driving the other day, I had the time to listen to the Christian station.  Out of a hour long conversation about raising children and learning to let go, I got this out of it.  "To raise a courageous child, you must first be a courageous parent."  Do you think that leading by example is an important part in raising your children?  Yes.  To raise a child with Courage, be that strong mother or father.  It will get them farther in life that you could ever imagine.

I witnessed courage today.  This courage was shown to me by someone I love very dearly.

My mother.







(I thank my mom for continuing to show me true strength and courage.  I had the perfect example growing up and ofter wonder where I get my determination from.  That is a gift from her.  From her choices, her actions and her amazing ability to keep going.  Thank you mom for the best gift! I love you!)

Giveaway drawing!!!

I got the beautiful thermal tote today!!!

I am loving the new floral pattern!

Are you ready to hear the WINNER?

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Beth Hardesty! Yay!!

Congrats Beth!  Please send me your address to kellyschmidgall@yahoo.com

Thank you to everyone else who participated!  This giveaway thing was so much fun! I may have to do it again soon! 

I appreciate all of the efforts you all put into this, so those of you who did not win the thermal tote, I want to  give you one free personalization if you find something you like in the new catalog!  The new catalog will be posted Feb 1st at www.mythirtyone.com/kellyschmidgall 

This will be good until March 1, 2012!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Lovely Cold Day

As I anxiously wait to go pick up Carsen from preschool, I get ready to head out of town on this beyond freezing day.   I have 30 mins...what shall I do? Hummm blog? Good idea!

I Wait for my hot press to steep

Admire my new gift from the blonde...you can find them in Morris!  I am slightly obsessed with it!

Throw on my bogs

And out the door I go!  Going to shop for baby stuff with a good friend that is expecting in the next month! I can hardly wait!  

Perfect way to spend a cold day!

Thirty-One Giveaway!!!

For all of you who know me well, you have already purchased a number of Thirty-One products or have had a party!  Due to all the support from my family and friends, I have already raised over $3000 for Carsen.  Yes, all my late evening parties, order entries and deliveries are for my little stinker.

When Carsen's fabulous special education teacher helped me come to conclusion that full time daycare would provide opportunities that staying at home wouldn't, I needed something to do.  Not just anything.  But, something to help me to earn money.  One could say, "just pick up a shift at work."  No thanks.  I love my part-time position and enjoy going to work on a part time basis.  Being available to run Carsen from here to there is my new duty.  Our time in the car is spent visiting about his friends and tasks he did during the day.  It is usually a one way conversation because he is so busy sucking his fingers out of pure exhaustion.

Well, this post is actually about YOU!  I just ordered a brand new thermal tote with a brand new pattern.  It is so cute I might even keep it for myself!!!  Actually, I have been meaning to have a give away for some time now.  Yes, you heard right! I am giving away the thermal tote when it arrives at my front door!   Want a sneak peak???

Cute! huh?

Here is what you have to do!  It is simple!

1)  Post this give away message on your blog, then message me that it is done.

2)  Book a party in February.  (Every $31 spent, get any item at 31%)
      (email me your party date...weekdays only please!  kellyschmidgall@yahoo.com)

3)  Post this give away on Facebook with this website. www.mythirtyone.com/kellyschmidgall

If you do all 3, you get your name put in the drawing 3 times, if you do only one, you get your name put in the drawing 1 time.

Easy right?  The new catalog is OUT!! My favorite new items are the large retro metro bag, leather purse and an adorable diaper bag!

What are you waiting for...get to it!!

Imitation

Last night, our night went like this...

"Carsen clap your hands!"  He clapped.

"Carsen, high five!"  He gave a high five with a smile.

"Carsen toes?"  He showed me his toes.

"Carsen, cut the pickle? Tickle Tickle."  He cut the pickle.

"Carsen, say I love You!"  He said, "aaaoooouuu"

Children start to imitate at a very young age. We have experienced Carsen imitating in small doses, then let go of the hope that he will continue because he seems to lose interest no matter how hard we try.  But then a day will come and we get it back again.  Right now, we have it all back and it feels ooohhh soooo good!

Tonight, our night went like this...

"Carsen, say hi!"  He waved...

Saying hi with one finger :)

"Carsen, say cheese!"  He smiled...

He is so beautiful to me!

Likes his fingers and toes!

 Remember this photo from 2010?  This was when Carsen and I spent literally 3-4 hours a day doing therapy.  I decided to curl my hair to be selfish.  I love this pic of us!

Now, Carsen and I are lucky if we get 30-40 mins of therapy in a week.  But the thing is, he is still progressing at his own pace.  I am getting to snuggle, love, kiss, enjoy taking him to school, seeing his arms flap in excitement when I pick him up from daycare and just enjoy being a mom.  Tonight, I started to curl my hair again and I am enjoying doing things for myself with my buddy by my side.  Literally.  :)

Snuggles

Any of you mom's out there just snuggle the breath out of your child/ren?  After a fun filled daycare party at the bowling alley, I was so proud of Carsen and all I wanted was to be close to him and not let go.  You know, that bed time routine where you are suppose to read books and lay them down by themselves?  Didn't happen.  Just a needy mommy tonight and a little boy loving the snuggles.  I just love that little baby in Carsen when he sucks his fingers (yah, I know) and bats his long eye lashes and just stares into my eyes, and all curled up into a ball in my arms!  Then watching him fall asleep and to hold him tight through his dreams.  If you haven't done this lately, I highly recommend it!  Best dose of medicine!  Happy Snuggles!