I Won’t Let Go

For those of us with “differently-abled” children we all have good days and bad days.  I would say most of those “bad days” were during the first part of Caty’s life.  I kept asking the question “why us? why our daughter?”  God knew that we could handle a challenge and that’s why we were chosen as her parents. 

Lately there have been several parents that have posted about their sadness and challenges that they, and more importantly their children , will face in life.   I recently came across this Rascal Flatts song called “I Won’t Let Go”.  I wanted to let all of the parents out there that are raising “differently-abled” children know that I’m there for you.  I won’t let go and I will stand by you!  Love you all!

I Won't Let Go (CMT Invitation Only) - Rascal Flatts - Rascal Flatts Videos

It’s like a storm
That cuts a path
It’s breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you’re lost
But you’re not lost on your own
You’re not alone

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
If you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won’t let go

It hurts my heart
To see you cry
I know it’s dark
This part of life
Oh it finds us all
And we’re too small
To stop the rain
Oh but when it rains

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight

And I won't let you fall
Don’t be afraid to fall
I’m right here to catch you
I won’t let you down
It won’t get you down
You’re gonna make it
Yea I know you can make it

Cause I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
And I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go
Oh I’m gonna hold you
And I won't let go
Won’t let you go
No I won't

Birthday Fun!

We decided that this year Caty was going to have a small birthday party and not invite everyone under the sun that she knows.  She also decided that she was going to have a “girls only” party.  We tossed around the idea of going to Build-A-Bear but in order to have a birthday party there you need a minimum of 6 kids.  The bears start at $10 – and of course since each bear needs an outfit we were looking at more like $15 per child.  So we went with another route… JoAnns sell Build-A-Bear kits.  I returned a few times with my 40% off coupons so we ended up getting the bears for about $8 each – we bought a total of 6 bears.  Overall a pretty cheap idea for a party!

The birthday girl ready for her friends to show up

The yummy purple cupcakes –not that you can tell they are purple but she wanted the cupcake purple and not the frosting.

Opening presents

She got her very own digital camera

With Nana and Papa

With our 6 year old

With Kylie and Aubrey – these girls all met when they started preschool together when they were 3.

Joined by Natalie, Nana and Jinx – Natalie loves Jinx and wanted him in the picture.  Nana tried ducking out of the picture but obviously that didn’t work

Stuffing their bears

Kylie stuffing hers

Caty getting some help from Nana

 

Natalie stuffing her bear

Aubrey with hers

 

My Caty bug!

 

While Nana and I sewed up the bears, the girls did some Build-A-Bear coloring pages

Hanna joining in on the coloring

Time to dress their bears

All done!

Time for presents – a new Tangled book to read

Didn’t get pictures of the other presents but she got 2 Barbies (which she absolutely loved and now sleeps with at night).

Cupcake time!

“Happy Birthday to you…”

Hanna loved the cupcake – but with no frosting – see how it’s kinda purple – actually more lavender, because I ran out of blue food coloring so we went with what we got.

Caty and Nana working on her headband.

Thanks to all of you that sent birthday wishes to our Caty!!

Let the Birthday Fun Begin

It’s so hard to believe that Caitlyn turned 6 this past Saturday – the time since she was born has just flown by.

Here she is, home from school, with her birthday crown on.  She was super excited about getting this crown at school.  She’d been talking about it for days. 

 

Helping make her purple cupcakes

Opening her presents

Hanna was super excited to see the punching balloons that she gave Caty.  Hanna’s gift was a bunch of little things in groups of 6 – 6 punching balloons, 6 pencils, 6 silly bands and 6 stamps

 

Scott and I got Caty a “Make Your Own Headband” kit.  She loved it!

Trying not to punch each other with the balloons

Next up -  the party!!

How is this even possible?

To my Caty bug…

As I gaze upon your face, touch your hair and smell it's sweet fragrance, look into those beautiful eyes and see myself looking back, I am struck by how much life has in store for you. There are lessons that you must learn on your own and there are lessons that I hope I can teach you, to give you a firm foundation for whatever the years will bring.

I ask myself, what can I tell this wonderful child about life, what things are important to know, what little bit of truth can I pass on? What can I write here that will have meaning, if not now, then in the years to come?
Life is more interesting and richest when it includes people who are not exactly like you. Everyone is different; everyone has their own beliefs and values. Not everyone will accept this--ever. Be one of the ones who does.

You have magic in your eyes…

Do you see it?  The wealth of possibilities just bubbling over?  You believe absolutely anything is possible.  I think you can do anything.

You make me want to wear a cape, to sweep you away from any tough situation, to wrap you in my arms and keep you safe. Everyday.

Today you turn six.

It sounds so cliche to say the last 2,190 days have been blinked away, but it most definitely feels as though they have.  I blinked and you was born.  I blinked and you could walk.  I turned around to cook dinner and you was talking – and you still haven’t stopped.  I stopped for 15 minutes to have another baby and you were in preschool.  I ran to the grocery store and you started Kindergarten (damn grocery store).

You have taught me so much in your 6 years.  The most important lesson I have learned from you, is that of acceptance.  This unexpected trip to Holland has been one of the most incredible journeys I have ever been on and I never once looked back.  You have brought so many wonderful and loving people into my life - I consider them family rather than friends.  

Of course, what I’m neglecting here, are the million hugs and “I love you, Mommys”.  Each one of those is etched into my soul and though they are fleeting – they are the most special because they mean you feels loved, you feels cared for and respected.  And that you are!

I love you my Caty bug!

Friends and family - I hope that you have some time, say 12 minutes, to watch my Caty bug grow up into a 6 year old.  Enjoy!

My Little Leprechauns

Hope that everyone had a Happy St Patricks Day!   I know that these two did!!

Flashback Friday – March 18th 2011

How is that she’s gone from this….

To this in just 6 years…

Stay tuned for tomorrow blog post (complete with a video of Caty through the years) as she turns 6. 

Simple Woman’s Daybook – March 14th 2011

For today – March 14th 2011

Outside my window...  it’s been dreary and raining since yesterday afternoon but the sun is finally trying to peek through the clouds.

I am thinking...  about all of the stuff I need to do to get ready for Caty’s birthday party on Saturday… how can she be turning 6?

I am thankful for... all of the POLP’s (Parents of Little People) and LPA friends that Caitlyn has brought into our lives!  Love all of you!

I am wearing... jeans and a sweatshirt…boring but comfy. 

I am creating... a video montage of Caty pictures through the past 6 years – for my Flashback Friday post. 

I am going to…  head out soon and get Caty from school.

I am reading... still nothing..this last week was busy with getting all of my stuff ready for the JBF Sale.  Won’t be starting a new book this week either – have bears to sew!

I am hoping... that everyone has a wonderful week!

I am hearing... Hanna typing on her computer while she’s watching Special Agent Oso. 

Around the house...  Hanna is playing with some dominoes – she dumps it out, puts them back in the container, dumps them again…repeat. 

A few plans for the rest of the week…  Caty’s got a dentist appointment tomorrow afternoon; getting the Build-A-Bears ready for Caty’s party on Saturday; making cupcakes for her party – at least I don’t have to make cupcakes for her school-they don’t allow homemade goods, so I’ve got the buy cupcakes-at $5 a dozen, I’d rather make them though!  Saturday is the big day!  My Caty bug turns 6!

A picture that I am sharing... Caty got to bring Max the class fish home with her this past week.  She thought that it would be fun to play dress up with him.  Yes, he’s wearing a grass skirt. 

Flashback Friday – March 11th 2011

Flashing back today to Labor Day weekend of 2009, which is when we first got meet my niece Riley.  Todd, Erin and Riley are up at my parents for the weekend so we’ll be seeing them after Caty gets out of school.

We had a family weekend at the cabin over that Labor Day weekend.  Such a great time together. 

Riley and Hanna

Caty and Riley

 

Nana, Papa, Caty and Riley

The cousins

Kisses for Riley

Matching pj’s!!

Caty and Riley