by Sarah | Feb 18, 2013 | All About Molly, Blogging Life, Indy Geek Girls
[flickr id=”8475700237″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]A few weeks ago I posted about Molly’s dream of being a “fashion girl”. Never did I imagine that making that simple post would allow me the honor of being able to help one of my children achieve their dream so quick.
One of the Indy Geek Girls, Katy, contacted me that same day and said that she might have an opportunity for Molly to be a model on the local morning news. She needed to check details, but it was a good chance she could be a model within the month. By last week it was a done deal & I just had to keep the tremendous news from Molly so she wouldn’t freak out too early. By Wednesday I caved and the next day was chaos.
Friday morning, bright and early we got up, we fixed our hair and makeup and hopped in the truck. Not before a few rounds of “are we there yet?” we managed to arrive about 40 minutes later.
[flickr id=”8476791438″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]By this point Molly was practically bouncing out of the truck, and my tummy was twisting in knots. How would she react in this place with all the excitement and new people and strange situations and cameras everywhere?
After a short time we were able to get her dressed and camera ready. She was bouncing out of her skin as we waited for the commercial break so we could head into the (surprisingly tiny) studio.
Finally the time came and Molly Cass was called on camera. At first, she later told me, she was afraid of messing up. It showed in her ‘deer in the headlights’ expression and the shuffle of her feet. Then…then she saw herself on the monitor and it all changed. She smiled and shone…and life was amazing.
For the rest of the day she was on Cloud 9 and even today she’s still talking about it and asking when we can “go back to Fox 59”. 🙂
I thought living my dream was amazing…
It’s nothing compared to watching your child live theirs.
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Molly’s outfit was provided by Blue Eyes & Barefeet.
by Sarah | Feb 11, 2013 | All About Family, All About Molly
On the morning of April 19th, 2005 I had only a vague knowledge of the Papal Election that was occurring.
I had an appointment with the OB that day, which held far more interest to me. At 38 weeks, that due date was fast approaching.
Much to our surprise (and excitement), the OB sent us right to the hospital. Molly hadn’t grown at all in 4 weeks and he was concerned – and I was already in (very early) early labor so we were having an induction.
I got to the hospital, got prepped and hooked up.
Turned on the TV.
And smoke.
All day long, all over the TV was the smoke in Rome and was it white? What was going on? Our Catholic nurse kept popping in to see what was happening.
Once the election was complete and the white smoke blew, that’s all that could be found. News on the new pope and who it was and where he came from and…
It infiltrated every part of the day. Our nurse would camp out in our room to watch the news. She established herself in our room most of the day until her shift ended.
Pope Benedict was a big part of Molly’s birthday, so today’s announcement of his retirement made me nostalgic and sad. While I’m not catholic, Pope Benedict XVI will always hold a special meaning to me.
I wish him peace in his remaining years.
by Sarah | Jan 16, 2013 | All About Molly
Always photogenic.
I have a few…off…pictures where she was goofing around or grumpy.
Most of the time it’s pure magic.
Smiling, pensieve, anywhere in between.
She loves to pose for the camera and I have a series of photos from a couple years back where she’s turning and posing in every way she can think of.
So it was not much of a surprise to me when she came home from school today bearing this little gem:
After all, she’s perfect for it.
Now to get her there.
by Sarah | Dec 27, 2012 | All About Denver, All About Erik, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Marriage, All About Me, All About Molly, All of Us
I’m not going to lie and come in here with rainbows & sunshine and say 2012 was the BEST YEAR EVER!!!
Because it wasn’t.
We had struggles. Financially, physically, mentally, we struggled. Kids went in the hospital, husband had medical issues of many kinds, I sprained my ankle, husband sprained an ankle, Kennedy came within inches of a feeding tube.
There have been lows. Some of them mind-numbingly bad.
But we are still here. Our whole family.
And beyond those lows – there were highs. Highs like we’ve never seen – and experiences that were beyond amazing.
For me, 2012 will be a year to be immortalized in my mental record books.
It was the year I dyed my hair purple.
It was the year I got published.
It was the year I swung through the trees.
It was the year I signed my first book contract.
It was the year I climbed mountains.
It was the year I signed 2 more publishing contracts – bringing my years total to 3.
It was the year Erik and I finally got a vacation.
It was the year I got to see Cirque (Creepy & cool).
It was the year I turned 36 – & finally felt like I’d come into my own.
It was the year I ran my first 5k.
I made friends out in that big world, my blog grew, my experiences grew, I grew. Sometimes out of struggle, but I still grew.
2013 has so much promise to it. Two of my books and a short story are all due to be published. I have more experiences waiting for me on the other side of January 1st. I know we’ll have struggles, I know we aren’t done fighting many of the battles we’re still waging today, and I know that there will be days I’ll want to give up.
But I also know – that I will emerge from each of those struggles. Maybe scarred, but always stronger.
So bring it, 2013. The Promises, and the Struggles. I’m ready for you.
by Sarah | Dec 19, 2012 | All About Denver, All About Family, All About Kennedy, All About Molly, All of Us
[flickr id=”8285672590″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]We’ve had a rough year.
Ups and downs so often it felt like a roller coaster gone bad. But even in the rockiest times, when I feel at my lowest, I’ve got three stars shining bright to bring me back home. Three stars that overcome challenges big and small and shine in ways I never could have imagined.
Denver, the cross country star that laughs in the face of Cystic Fibrosis by his endurance and speed. That is aiming for the best grades he can (and almost always succeeding) so that he can become a doctor. Not just a doctor, but a pediatric pulmonologist so that he can help other kids like him and his sister.
Molly, the brilliant little mind trapped behind the limitations of her expressive communication. Every day she’s learning more how to step forward. She’s making real friends, and living the heck out of life in her own quirky way.
Kennedy, so many little things that could hold her back, but to her they don’t even exist. She’s my temperamental firecracker, but also the sweetest angel you ever could meet. Those big eyes and warm snuggles ease away every worry.
They bring hope and light back into my life every moment. I’m so proud of each of them. Every day.
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Macy’s Heart of Haiti is a shining example of people filled with hope even in the greatest difficulties. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and even after the earthquake you won’t find a country more filled with hope and joy.
Macy’s believes in “Trade not Aid” as a means of helping the country of Haiti create sustainable work and provide much needed financial opportunities. By purchasing one of the more than 40 items available in Macy’s Heart of Haiti line you make a contribution to the Haitian Community.
With everything from quilts, to bowls, to picture frames – all made from recycled and sustainable items – you can find some amazingly beautiful items to give as gifts, or to decorate your home. With one click, you get to beautify your life, and strengthen a country stricken by poverty. It’s a win-win.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #CleverHaiti
by Sarah | Dec 13, 2012 | All About Kennedy, All About Molly, All of Us, Autism, Special Needs
[flickr id=”8265585712″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”]I remember writing many letters to Santa. Asking for Cabbage Patch Dolls, Ballerina Barbies, and Star Wars figurines (Princess Leia, please…and ewoks).
Santa ended up on the receiving end of so many of my wishes and hopes. Many unmet, and many that were.
Not once did I ever ask Santa for something for my brother.
Ever.
And yet…today as I read these words from my middle child, “Can you get my sister a barbie for her”.
My heart is just filled with pride. Joy. Love.
The past couple of months have been difficult.
Behaviorally.
Emotionally.
The end of the year naturally causes chaos, but outside forces have added so much more to our lives that some days I fear one, or all, of us might just break.
And then I see the kindness hidden under layers of quirks. The love expressed – perhaps with the help of her aide, perhaps all on her own – toward a sister I often have to keep her from abusing.
And for a little while.
Just a few minutes.
There is peace.
