Author: claralynnschnell

I am a MOM. I am a VETERAN. I am a WIFE. I am from the PACIFIC NORTHWEST. I am ME. All these words can be used to describe the person I am, yet none can fully express my character or personality alone. I am an adventurous soul who is married to my best friend. We have two children, Logan and Kolten. Logan is a crazy 2 year old who sees the world (and my walls) as his canvas. Kolten is the newest addition to our family (March 29,2013) and so he has yet to let us know his little personality!! My kids bring me joy and happiness and are a huge reason why as a family we are trying to eat fresher and cleaner foods. Being from the Pacific Northwest I grew up with fresh produce and a very laid back happy attitude. I currently reside with my family in Augusta, GA and while the attitude of Southerners is amazing we have a very different eating style. We are NOT an organic family but more of a natural/fresh family in the terms that we eat very little meals that are pre-made for us and I do as much as possible from scratch! HOWEVER, we do eat things like McDonalds, so this will not be a preachy "eat perfect" blog, I don't believe that it is possible. I learned to cook while I was in high school and then joined the Army at 23, where as luck would have it, I became a cook! Although I did not learn basic skills from the Army, I did learn to trust in my insticts and not be afraid to try something new! My husband (who also loves to cook) has been a blessing in the kitchen, where our motto is: lets try it, if it sucks, we can order take out!! I am an avid baker and can make almost anything from scratch with very little to no instruction. Lately I have taken on more adventures in the culinary world and will be exploring those adventures in this new blog! Please join me!!!
Autism, Parenting

Life changed forever today…

Do you ever have those moments in life…moments you don’t necessarily realize will be the defining moments until you realize that they are? Today Logan was diagnosed with Autism. While that is not what is defining my life, or his, or even our families, it is a true testament to the people that I have around me and the people I believed were my friends. When your family is given 2 life altering diagnosis in 2 months time frame, it can be overwhelming for those around you, and they can feel unsure what to say, so they say nothing.  For me today, friendships were anchored, and others are not so important anymore. Today I realized how blessed I am that my mom is my best friend in the world. That she is funny and sweet and loves me to the core, but more importantly, she doesn’t let me have these hard moments alone. She is my hero, if I can be half of the mom and woman that she is, I will never fail.  Continue reading “Life changed forever today…”

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Sometimes, this mom thing sucks.

Sometimes it just sucks to be a mom. To be the one who is blamed for everything in the world. Today is one of those days.

Logan is having a hard day. 14 days with his papa and while he has been home for 3 days, he has still had papa. Well today…his papa left. And apparently that is my fault. I have been repeatedly told today that it is my fault that papa doesn’t live here. That I did this. That I am the bad guy. I have been repeatedly reminded, that not only does Logan love me the LEAST in his life, that he doesn’t like me either. I have been informed today that I am not a good mom. That I don’t give him what he wants and that he wants to live with his papa. Needless to say, it has been a fun day.  Continue reading “Sometimes, this mom thing sucks.”

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A New Year…A New Perspective

Today is the first day in 2016 and it is bittersweet. I am in Chicago. My boys are in Kansas. My life never feels complete when they are away. I enjoy things less, I laugh less, I am sad and inside I just can’t explain how it feels. I know that the time they spend with their Papa is priceless and I would never dream of taking any of it away, in fact, I usually extend any trip for them, at the expense of how it will feel for me. I do this, because it is what is best for my boys, what is best for their papa and I tell myself, I can manage and make it through…and I always do.  Continue reading “A New Year…A New Perspective”

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Autism, Life, Parenting

What I have Accepted

As time goes by and I become more accepting with our diagnosis, I realize that even more so now, I am his advocate, his voice, his protector, his champion. Yes, as a mom I was already all of those things, but now….now if I fail….well that is not an option, this is now my mission. One I can’t fail at, one I won’t fail at. I have come to realize our diagnosis is a path that was opened to us and while there are a ton of hills on this path, it’s a pretty amazing adventure. I have also realized that I say “our diagnosis” because at the end of the day, it really is OURS. It affects Logan, it affects me, and it affects Kolten. We are a package deal, if it happens to one, it happens to all. We all have to deal with the crazy that accompanies Kolten. Now, who knows if some of the things that happen (like Kolten undecorating the tree while Logan sobs that Kolten hates Christmas) are age related or if they are autism related…only time can tell.  We are all going gluten free, because it is best for Kolten. We are a family, we will stick together in this journey, we will meet every challenge as 3 against 1. There is nothing that together and with Christ that we cannot overcome.  Continue reading “What I have Accepted”

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Autism, Life, Parenting

I believe in our future.

IMG_1512It has been about two weeks since the initial diagnosis. Two weeks since the word Autism made a permanent journey to live in our house. Two weeks since our eyes have been opened to change.

Two weeks ago, I was overwhelmed with all of the change and the journey that our life was now going to take. Kolten had been diagnosed with Autism and we needed to figure out what that meant and how it was going to really shape our life.  We have started some big changes in how we do things, the way we eat and even the way sleep is being tackled.

Continue reading “I believe in our future.”

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Autism, Life, Parenting

Autism.

Today was the day. Today was D-day as I was affectionately calling it. Today was the day that answers for Kolten would happen. Today, after a full day of testing, we got the diagnosis. Kolten has autism.  Kolten. Autism. Kolten.

Logically I have been here for a month or two. When it was first suggested, I started to do mass research on it. Kolten fit in so many places. He had all the signs and I hadn’t seen it. But hearing the diagnosis today was bittersweet. It was on one hand, reassuring, because now, finally we have answers for his behaviors and outbursts. But on the flip side…it is hard to hear. It is hard to hear that your kid is always going to be different, in a world where differences are not always celebrated…especially as a kid.

Continue reading “Autism.”

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army, Life, War

Lessons Learned

So I wrote this last month for Veteran’s Day and then forgot to post it….so here we go.

 

There is this word in the English language that conveys so much.

Veteran.

 

It means one who served their country. In peace or in war. One who offered to risk their life so others could be free.

 

Then there is phrase in the English language.

 

Combat Vet.

 

Someone who served in a war zone to ensure your freedom. Everyone’s freedom. This phrase evokes so many emotions that it can be hard to put it all into words.

 

Continue reading “Lessons Learned”

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Adventures, Life, Parenting

Challenges. Adventures. Fun?

The last month has been full of decisions, appointments, challenges and the possibility for so many adventures in our future.

First, let me start with the challenges.  It has recently been decided to do Autism screening on Kolten because he is high risk with his current behaviors, lack of verbal skills, no fear and not feeling much pain. He will go through the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule or ADOS as we call in on November 20th. On that day we will find out a diagnosis. We will know.  We will have answers. To say this isn’t a scary journey is an understatement. To say that I am not worried is an understatement. But to know, at the end of the day to have a direction, a way to go, some answers, for that I am so grateful.

Continue reading “Challenges. Adventures. Fun?”

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army, baby, Life, Parenting, Soldier

Figuring this thing called life out…

This last month has been filled with appointments, struggles, joys, changes, triumphs and confusion. Like any normal person, I feel like in a month’s span my emotions run the course, but this last month especially. Each person in our family has gone through one struggle or another and we are muttering our way through that struggle.  Continue reading “Figuring this thing called life out…”

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