Toughest Kid West of the Mississippi

There once was a little boy named Carson.  He was just a normal, average, run of the mill kind of little boy.  Well, at least, that's what he thought...

Carson loved to do the things that most boys do.  He loved Legos, super heroes, playing outside and getting dirty, those were the things that made him most happy...

One day Carson started to find it hard to find happiness.  He was often upset, angry and frustrated.  He wanted to be happy, he tried to be happy but doing those things he loved most became hard to do.  He was tired and weak.  He was thirsty all the time and spent most of his nights going to the bathroom.

His family decided they were going to take a fun trip down to visit family in Arizona.  It was going to be a long 13 hour drive but everyone was excited to see Grandma and Papa and enjoy the warmth of the Arizona sun.

The drive started out normal.  5 crazy kids crammed in a minivan.  Carson began this trip with much enthusiasm, but soon after the drive started he began to experience those feelings he didn't like feeling.  He became frustrated and tired.  He had to go to the bathroom often during this trip, 17 times to be exact...he was thirsty, hungry and towards the end of the trip his feet started to burn.  He yelled as if they were on fire and it was at that point that his mom and dad knew their little happy Carson was no longer happy.

They dropped off his siblings at Grandma's house and drove him to a hospital.  While he was there Carson was poked and jabbed.  He waited and waited...but mom and dad knew what the problem was. However, when they heard the news from the doctor they still were struck with intense sadness.  Their little boy was going to have a very tough road ahead of him.  But as they looked down at Carson they saw a smile across his face.

Most of us think we are just normal or average but little do we know the things we are capable of...it was at this moment Carson's strengths were coming to the surface and his mom and dad knew he was no longer going to be average; he was going to be spectacular.

After the diagnosis of diabetes was confirmed he was rushed to a children's hospital.  Carson's blood was sick and it was making Carson very ill as well.  The children's hospital had special equipment made just for children that was going to help Carson become his happy boy self again.

Once he got to the hospital the doctors and nurses once again began to poke and jab.  More needles, more wires and more pain.  His mommy felt so sad for her little boy and her heart hurt to watch him endure the pain but as they finished inserting the needles Carson looked over at his mom and his smile returned and his mommy once again saw the strength of her boy...he could smile even after the pain.

As Carson's blood became healthy again he started to notice that the happiness he once felt began to return.  He wanted to do those things that brought him joy.  Not only did he want to do all those things he once did before but he started to find that he wanted to find happiness in everything around him.  He smiled all day long.  He laughed with his mom and dad, made jokes with the nurses and found joy in even the smallest things that came his way; like Diet Pepsi!

He learned his life was never going to be average, everyday run of the mill like the other boys so Carson decided that he was not going to be average, everyday run of the mill.  He was going to be SPECTACULAR.

He learned that he had to have shots every time he ate, so to be SPECTACULAR he decided he would give himself those shots.

He learned that he was going to have to poke his finger and make it bleed about 6-7 times a day...so to be SPECTACULAR he was going to do it all by himself.

And he did it all with a smile.

Carson learned that he can do and be normal once again.  He can play with his legos, play outside and get dirty.  He could find happiness in doing those things once again...but he also learned that he didn't want to be normal, he wanted to be SPECTACULAR, amazing and brave.  And he was...

A new year a fresh start

As I happily see 2012 disappear into the past I still can't help but look back on that year as a year of tremendous growth.  I learned so much about myself in that year not only my strengths but ALL my many weaknesses.  I say ALL but I know there are still many I am oblivious to and yet I am sure the years to come will manifest them in abundance, after all, isn't that what life is?

So instead of relishing on what is now the past and trying to play catch up on this blog of mine, I have decided to make a fresh start.  Start with today!  Live in the present!  So here is what's going on in 2013:

My baby girl is now 3 years old.  Seriously what happened?  This was not supposed to happen so quickly.  Emma is very typical in the fact that she is the spoiled youngest child.  And I have to add not so spoiled by mom and dad but by brothers and sisters.  This child can do no wrong.  Even when she does wrong in the eyes of her mother and mother tries to disciple I get the evil stink eye from all the siblings (with the exception of Rylie, she is always more than happy to see Emma go down).  Because she is spoiled and told that she is wonderful, beautiful, funny and smart each and everyday she truly believes each and every one of those attributes are a quality that not only does she possess but that she owns.  She.  Is.  A.  Superstar.

However, Emma is quite atypical as well.  The child has an ability in any situation to make those around her smile.  Her cute little belly and her cute little voice lend her to being quite easily the cutest 3 year old around.  She has a will and determination that is unmatched to any other 3 year old, but she also knows how to harness it in the right direction.  She is not determined to be naughty or willed to being a trouble maker, she is determined to accomplishing the impossible.  She notices things most people wouldn't notice and then uses that knowledge in her own life.  She is wise beyond her years and I am amazed at her genius each and every day.  She reads those around her so perfectly, if she is uncomfortable I know it is for a good reason and I stay in tune with that each and every time.


I feel so blessed to have had this sparkling, chubby and bright light in my life for 3 years.  I love this red-cheeked little angel.  Happy Birthday Ems!