A Horse Named Stella (surprise ending)

Saturday was a big day. We took Maddie to New Heights Therapeutic Riding Center in Folsom, La to be evaluated for hippotherapy sessions. Hippotherapy is a riding therapy with an Occupational Therapist that helps with core strength, balance, and sensory input. We have been hearing amazing things about hippotherapy since Maddie's birth, so I was incredibly excited that they were willing to evaluate her, even though she was below the age limit. They normally see kids ages 3 and up. And although I was certain she was physically able to participate, I wasn't sure if we would even get her near a real horse without a struggle. Maddie tends to get frightened and cry whenever animals come too close...I've seen her come completely unglued over puppies and birds, so a horse was a big deal.

Maddie's horse was named Stella. She was sweet and calm, and Maddie warmed up to her within minutes. She even decided she was ok with the riding helmet, if it meant she could ride her. Soon she was up, on her own, riding Stella. I've never actually seen hippotherapy before this, but I was completely shocked to realize that there was nothing holding Maddie up there...and no one riding with her. Just a group of instructors walking alonside the horse, and one in front....I was a nervous Mama. She looked so incredibly tiny up on that huge horse. Then I realized she wasn't scared...she was enjoying it, and I started to relax too.






They put her in several different positions to test her balance and core strength. She rode straddled, sidesaddle, and even backwards!




She did so GREAT! Her focus and determination is always so surprising to me...She is so completely capable.




I am so happy that it went well, and she has been accepted into their program. Now we wait to find out about scholarship opportunities, and scheduling...and I'm hopeful that we will get a partial scholarship to participate,but after seeing that look in her eye, I know we'll do whatever we have to do to make this work. We have to. More updates on this to come...till then, Happy Trails!



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And now for the surprise....If you are reading this on Facebook, click HERE.

After many attempts to catch this on video, this is the best I've got so far...



"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

Vacay

Mason has been carrying around a small, tattered map for about 3 months. It's nothing special...Just a computer print-out that I gave him awhile back. But to him, it's everything. He shows it to anyone who comes by the house, he brings it in the car with us, and sometimes he'll fall asleep looking at it. It's a map of Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. We went there about 2 years ago, and Mason had the best time....so he was thrilled when we started planning a return trip for this year. He's been marking days off the calendar, and holding on tight to his map...and last week he finally made it back to the mountains.

Like any vacation, it came with a few glitches...Like seeing way too many gas stations between MS and TN, due to Mason's sudden bout of car-sickness that held us up 4 times in the first 2 hours...Or managing to leave articles of clothing and shoes in both Tupelo and Pigeon Forge...Or the random toilet that we overflowed in Memphis...Things didn't always go smoothly, but we had a great time through it all.

We were so fortunate to stay in an amazing cabin. It was beautiful, and fully accessible. It had 6 bedrooms and 6 baths, a gameroom with everything, a theater room, gorgeous views, and even an elevator for Miss Maddie. We were thrilled! We made the trip with lots of family, so we had a full house...and my kids were spoiled rotten all week!


Our cabin...Soaring Ridge




I miss this view...





We had lots of fun in the cabin and around Gatlinburg. We found a great little hole in the wall called Best Italian Pizza Cafe...Yummmm. I will be dreaming about those garlic rolls until we go again.



The highlight of the trip was definitely our time in Dollywood....



Mason upgraded his map. :)






He was the most intense tour guide I have ever seen. he had a plan, and we had to stick to it. :) But when he wasn't on a mission to conquer everything in a day, he was just a happy little guy.






Maddie enjoyed it too...





Her favorite ride was the "Duckies"





Mason loved the racecars and of course, the train!









We had so many great moments, and I hope I never forget the fun and excitement my little bugs showed us each new day. Life is so much more fun when I see it through their eyes...













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And in other news....


If you follow me on facebook you may have already heard, Madison has started taking independant steps!!!!! This is so beyond what I ever hoped for this year. I am thrilled and SO excited at her progress! We will be going to Folsom this weekeend to have her evaluated to begin horse therapy at New Heights. This type of therapy involves horseback riding for little ones, and has been very effective in improving balance, coordination, core strength, and stability. It is very expensive, and it will come entirely out of pocket for us...as our insurance is refusing to pay anything towards therapy costs for Maddie. I am so hopeful that this will be just what she needs to gain more balance and more control for independent walking. My hope and prayer is that she will be walking unassisted when we return to Philadelphia, sometime after New Year's. It's a huge leap from where we started, but I am learning that anything is possible. Please keep in us in your prayers that God will provide a way for us to do this therapy, and that our hopes for Maddie will become a reality.

Our Easter

Our Easter was a whirlwind of activity that seemed to last all week long. It included preschool parties and egg hunts, PT egg hunts at the playground, egg-shaped Rice Krispy treats, and the usual Paas egg dye all over the kitchen. Now a week later...The easter grass has taken root and continues to grow...no matter how much I vaccuum... it's just another little reminder of all the fun we had last weekend, and what we can look forward to again next year.


We went to our church for the Saturday Easter services, to avoid all the Sunday crowds. I tried to get pics of the kids before we left, but they were not into it....Here's our best attempt.







Hooray for pretty Easter dresses that hide beat up sneakers underneath! :)





After church, we took the kids to a nearby playground that we love. It's a fully accessible playground, that has taken everything possible into consideration, and BOTH of my kids LOVE it!




Neither of them would stay put long enough for many pics...but they had a blast, and got filthy dirty in their Easter attire. I loved seeing them have so much fun.





Sunday morning started with full Easter baskets and groggy bugs in their jammies. It was fun to watch...







I wish I could bottle him at this age...He is so sweet, so eager, and so excited about everything...you can't help but feel like a kid too.





Later we had my parents over for lunch and the egg hunt. It was so much fun! First we hid the eggs for Mason, and watched as he tore through the yard, secret-agent-style, seeking out the hidden treasures. It was hilarious!





Ahhh...Success!





Madison's hunt was a little more subdued....Mason took extra care in hiding her eggs, and then proceeded to point out where each one was as she approached it. He just couldn't help himself! She didn't seem to mind one bit...She giggled and squealed with each new find.









Once they were all found, she stood there and looked carefully at the whole group.



And then she decided to throw them each on the ground...Well it was fun while it lasted! Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

The Little Things

It's easy to get excited about the big things in life...the first words, first steps, promotions, graduations...These things are always a big deal, and are pretty exciting for everyone involved. I love the big things as much as anyone, but sometimes it's the little things that really bring me the most happiness. Flowers on Valentine's Day are great, but it's the unexpected roses, for no reason at all, that I remember the most. I'm a sucker for the little things...


Like tiny bird's nests that magically appear in a hanging basket.



Like my little guy playing his first big game.





Or my little girl taking it all in...



It's the anticipation of what's to come.





It's seeing her do something she shouldn't be able to do.




It's the thrill of the hunt...



It's a spring spruce-up for a tiny walker.



It's a little chair, for a big transition.


Last week this little chair was given to us from the preschool Maddie will be attending in the fall. She has mastered getting in and out of it, and given me one less thing to worry about while she is there. She looks so proud when she sits in it...It's her space, her freedom, her chair. Thank you Pam...This small act of kindness has meant more to me than I can express.

I love the little things.

Family Picnic 2011

This past weekend was packed with the usual errands, birthday parties, family visits, and church services that normally keep us busy and excited about weekends...but the highlight of the weekend was a special event that I've been looking forward to for awhile, and it was a blast. We went to the annual SBGNO family picnic at Lafreniere park on Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect, the kids were excited, and my parents were joining us this year. Mason had packed his Elmo kite, along with every outdoor sporting good he owned. He. was. ready.

Last year was our first time attending this event. It was also our first ever event with the SBGNO, and I'm not gonna lie, I was a little overwhelmed. It was the first time seeing the walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches...and I wasn't sure if I was ready. Maddie was a happy, chunky 10 month old, and I knew once I saw all the other kids with different equipment, I would have to picture my little girl one day having it as well. I didn't want to. I wanted her to stay little, and for things to remain uncomplicated. A year ago at this same picnic, sitting under the exact same tree, I wondered how I would feel when it was my little girl with a walker.

Now I know.



I couldn't have felt more proud.



Maddie walked all over those grounds, through dirt, grass, and hills...and she was proud too.





Mason, true to form, played with all the kids, oblivious to any differences between them. He raced them, he flew his kite, he played putt putt, kickball...you name it. They both played hard, and this was what we saw in the rear-view mirror while heading home...




It was an amazing day for all of us...and this year, as I watched a little girl with her crutches reach the top of the massive hill we sit near, I couldn't wait for next year when I hope to see my girl do the same.