A thank you.

I am sitting here this morning watching Gavin eat his cereal. I am thinking about the emotions I will go through in the next weeks as he starts his new chapter. Kindergarten.

I am nervous, sad and excited all at the same moment.

It made me think about everything we have been through to get to this point and all of the friends and family that have been there along the way (you know who you are). I spent probably the first 4 years of his life in a fog, tired mentally and physically and now it is slowly becoming normal, routine.
Without all of you I wouldn't have made it. You guys have stepped up and helped us so much whether it was donating to the Spina Bifida Association, purchasing items from our fundraisers, raffle tickets or just showing up to walk, being there when I needed someone to just cry to and vent even if you didn't understand why I was crying about catheters or enemas or vp shunts, you listened. Some of you just helped by understanding that our family is "special" and our normal is not "normal". Some of you have kept us included regardless if we could make it or not. You have supported Gavin (and the other two) through their sports, you cry with joy over his triumphs even if it is the tiniest of accomplishments. You have made us feel "normal", loved, and included and for all of that, I thank you.

Gavin's battle isn't over, it will never be over. He will spend the rest of his life in Physical therapy so he can keep his ability to walk, his months will be riddled with doctors appointments, surgeries and his days with medications, orthotics and the like. I am ok though because I know you will all continue to support him.

I am proud to call you all family (friends included). You will never understand how much it has meant to us.

The climb....

My husband and I have been married for 7 years. Walker was 6, Avery was born the year we married, Gavin 18 months after that. When we were told of Gavin's birth defects, it was like a slap in the face. We have struggled, mentally, physically and financially for the past 5 years. Jason has been working hard while I stay home and be Mom.
I found peace in photography, Jason found peace in fishing. For the past few years we've been talking about how we can better our family, financially, yet still give back to the community. We have thrown so many ideas around but they all seem to revolve around spina bifida/special needs children.

I have finally decided to take the scary plunge into my own photography business (this is the climb, to success). I tried once and failed, but now, I have grown, I have studied, I have practiced and I have a plan (and the kids are older and will all be in school). I still wanted to give back and I have been thinking and praying on how I should or even could. I am not sure why I didn't see it before, but now, I do.

Fiddlesticks Photography will give back in a big, big way. Along with photoshoots and offering accessories Fiddlesticks wants all the special needs families to know they deserve quality, wall worthy photos too! So that is where giving back comes in. We want to offer free or low cost shoots to families with children that have special needs. We understand that is a broad description but even "invisible" disabilities are financially draining. I haven't completely decided how I will give the shoots, I want to try and do 2-4 a month. I may do something that allows people to nominate families and have my facebook fans vote. I am not sure. This is where I need your help. I need your suggestions, your input, you thoughts. How can I make this successful? How can I help these families? Would you want something like this? (I sure know I would have loved to have this when G was young).

You can visit my FB page here (I haven't said anything on there yet, but I suppose I have to let the cat out of the bag sooner rather than later)
Don't be shy, I really want to know what you think!