Surgery Tomorrow!

Carsten's tonsil and adenoid surgery is tomorrow between 3 and 4pm. We will probably stay one night at the hospital depending on how he does. I think we're going to take him to the hospital in his Lion costume since it's Halloween! We're a little sad because I'm sure Halloween is fun here living in a neighborhood where all the families have at least 5 kids!! I'm just going to set some candy out on the porch. Thank goodness its tomorrow, I've had 5 or 6 bags in my kitchen for a week now and I think I've gained 5 pounds stealing candy out of them! If you think to say a little prayer for Carsten tomorrow we would appreciate it! Love you all, we'll let you know how it went on Saturday.


Love,
The Bridges

Pumpkin Patch and Halloween

We had an eventful weekend full of pumpkins and The Wizard of Oz:) We went to a pumpkin patch Saturday morning and then a Halloween party Saturday night. Since Carsten already had a Lion outfit, we decided to finish it off with Dorothy and the Scarecrow! Have fun looking at the pics of our cutie pie!

Tosillectomy and funny tube story

I can't believe it, Carsten is going to get his tonsils out next Friday on Halloween! We waited 6 weeks after our ENT appointment to get it scheduled and then we thought it was going to be December 19th. They called this morning and said they could do it next Friday!!! They are going to take his tonsils/adenoids out, take out a cyst they found in his throat, and put tubes in his ears. I'm so excited and I guess a little nervous now that it is so close. Please pray for our little guy that this surgery goes smoothly and helps improve his overall breathing and eating. Thank you Lord for answering our prayers and so soon!!

As for today, I've got to get out and buy some overnight diapers. Now that Carsten is getting fed through his tube overnight his diapers are about 20 pounds in the morning and I'm having to change his sheets every day! Two nights ago, I went in to turn his alarm off at 5:00 and the poor thing was sitting up in his crib with his little head on the bumper. The tube had been leaking ALL night and he was sleeping in a pool of formula, him and the bed were soaking wet! He was so cute just sitting there sleeping sitting up with his head on the bumper. I couldn't believe he didn't wake up and cry or anything! Poor C-man!

We also lost his all time favorite brown blanky last weekend during the Buddy Walk, it has been a hard last few days without it but thanks to Neiman Marcus online I found one for just under 50 dollars that is army colors (green and brown) and have ordered it. Too bad Carsten isn't spoiled enough:)

Election is 13 days away! Remember to pray!!

Love,
Momma Bridges

BUDDY WALK

 

The Buddy Walk is over!! What a day! It started off pretty cold but got warmer during the walk. There was a sea of people there all wearing red for the Kansas City Chiefs. Carsten even got a medal at the end from one of the players! He was pretty shy for some reason at first (probably the cold) but he perked up during the walk when dad put him on his shoulders to show him off!:) We realized that this would probably be the biggest Buddy Walk we ever go to if we aren't here next year. It was fun to be there and with so many people all for the same cause. Thanks to Nana and Aunt Nae for coming, we had a great time and it wouldn't have been as fun without you two! Love you both.

 

I love my aunt nae and nana!

 

In front of Chad's favorite thing, ice cream!!

 

This is fun!

 

On dad's shoulders

 

I got a medal from a Chiefs player at the end!!

 

Me, mom and Nana

 

Me and my aunt Nae!

 

Buddy Walk

 

What is that!!

 

So cute!!

 

Me and Dad

 

Carsten's first horse ride!

 

Last Saturday we ventured over to the Renaissance Festival. I remember going there when I was in grade school on a field trip. It was fun to go again and experience it as an adult. Chad and I had a big Turkey leg, practiced our archery skills, watched all the funny costumes and, of course, I had a funnel cake!:) Carsten had his first horseback ride, poor thing was scared to death, see him trying to reach for me to get off the whole time! And we had to get the horse that kicked, yes kicked me in the leg! It was a fun day.

Union Station

 

Forward about Pastor giving prophecy to Palin

I know this is long but well worth reading. I believe it. I also believe the end about needing to fast in these last few weeks before the election....


Subject: Pastor Mark speaking to Sarah Palin!

Dear Friends; This was forwarded to me and it is well worth the
read! I have enclosed my reply at the end to Pastor Mark because of info that
I shared with him may be of interest to you also. God bless each of you and
let us KNEEL UNITED IN PRAYER TO SEE VICTORY FOR OUR NATION. Melody Morris
Pastor Mark Arnold's report (PLEASE READ ENTIRE STORY BELOW)

This past Tuesday, the McCain / Palin Bus came through a little town
called, Lebanon , Ohio. The LORD allowed me to go to the Rally giving them
a message that He wanted me to personally deliver.

Sunday Night - a burden hit me that would only shake me to my knees -
I prayed and wept for our Nation. Never has my heart been so broken before
God. I literally interceded for these wonderful people who do not deserve
all the hate against them. The GOD-Haters are going to try everything to
stop them, but they will not succeed!

God is not pleased with the 'bashing' in the News of this 'Anointed'
person. He has called her for this time! I promised God that I would pray
and hold them up in prayer. I would 'listen' out and be mindful of where
they were. The following day is important in this time-line...because I
didn't even know until God spoke to me...

Monday and into Monday Night - the burden of prayer was so heavy that
I was literally shaking and could not stop weeping. I didn't know that they
were coming to Ohio . I prayed and walked and wept and walked. I prayed and
prayed and wept and prayed...

Tuesday at 2:00 A.M. - God spoke these words to me - '...Go turn the
Radio on!' Immediately the Reporter's Words were - 'McCain & Palin Bus to be
in Lebanon later this morning for a 10:00 A.M. Rally!'

Immediately on hearing that news, I heard God again...God said, 'You
are to go. You will meet them and give them a message for Me!'

I prayed as an intercessor and went to a place in prayer that I don't
think I've ever been...because the LORD had just visited me...and I knew I
was on a ' Mission .' I had now been up since Sunday NIght...and now it's
Tuesday and I've got to go on the 'WORD of the LORD.' He sure became My
Strength as this unfolds...

I didn't stop praying until I drove over to the town and parked the
car. The News would later report they were expecting 5,000 people and the
actual head-count of those who had been scanned was more than 10,000 people.


I simply obeyed...and God actually told me where to stand, who to
talk to...and when to be on the move. I had sure learned on the Mission
Field, when God wants to open a door, He will do it at the appropriate time.
He always has someone to assist...and even those standing beside you may just
be an Angel.

I struck up a conversation with an agent on the ground - he simply
said, 'I can't allow you to stand here!' Here is where the bus was going to
actual pull up to. They had to make a much larger perimeter so the entire
area was now being moved back several blocks. The only other thing he told
me to do was to go through the metal detector zone and just watch from the
back. So, that's what I did.

Due to sensitivity of the Internet...I can't share much of the story
as to what happened next was a definite GOD THING ALL THE WAY.

Looking over the shoulders and backs and heads of all those people..I
knew it would take a miracle for what GOD told me to do.

As I was standing there, two Boy Scouts came running up my
back...literally, they almost knocked me to the ground because they were
running so fast behind me...up my back and over to the right. These Boy
Scouts were about Junior High Age. Their Scout Leader and several others
were behind them...but as the two out front was trying to push through the
crowd, saying they were late...the smaller scouts were left in their dust.
The Scout Leader who was with a McCain Rep from the State grabbed me and told
me bring the other Scouts up front as they try to keep up with the first two
that just came through.

I just became the leader of the rest of the Scouts to lead them right
up front and center. As the Rep was shouting back at me...to bring the
Scouts forward...the people parted just like God parted the Red Sea.

I marched them boys right up front and to the right of the stage as
one was looking from the back. When I got there I was fifteen feet from the
podium. GOD said, 'Stand here, and don't move from this spot.'
Within five minutes...the bus pulled up and around the other side
McCain, Sarah Palin and her husband Todd stepped up and the speeches took
off. I was where God placed me...and even Sarah Palin and Todd were standing
on my side of the stage. I made eye contact, I gave them thumbs up
gestures...and I knew they were just happy to see me standing there. Ha Ha

When they came around the podium and started on the other side, I
knew they were coming right toward me, a little lady who stood by me, reached
up and told the Rep that they had promised a Picture with her because she was
the one who had lost a son in Iraq, recently. The Rep confirmed she would
get a pic with them and they would talk to her. When McCain came to hug
her... he immdiately shook my hand and following his moment with her, I shook
his hand as he grabbed my hand, now for the second time, and I said, 'God
wants you to know that I'm praying for you, Sir!' He thanked me and kept
smiling. I repeated that phrase to him five times. He grabbed my hands and
looked right into my eyes and said, 'I won't make it without prayer. Sir,
Thank You for praying for me, and don't let one day go by that you don't pray
for me. I need all the prayers that I can get. Thank you, Thank you, Thank
you!'
As he moved to my right, Sarah Palin, came over to my left
side...standing over the crowd and then looking at the little lady who had
lost the son. It took a moment for her to shake some hands and people were
pushing in all around. Sarah came and got on her hands and knees on that
side of the stage and hugged that little Mom, telling her, '...it was not in
vain.' She promised her support.

It was at this moment Sarah Palin, reached out for me to help her up
and as I was assisting her to stand I was now face to face with her and GOD
said, 'Open up your Mouth and I will fill it.'
Here is what came out...

'God wants you to know that you are a present day Esther!'

[She immediately began to cry]!

'God wants to tell you that you are Chosen for such a time as this!'

'You are called, and chosen to be a leader.'

'Don't lose heart and don't fear man.'

'The news and nay-sayers and criticizers are going to be very hateful
toward you... and in the days ahead they are going to turn up the heat...but
do not fear.'

'You are a present day Esther.' You are an Esther. You are an
Esther!

'Keep your eyes on GOD and know that He has chosen you to Reign!'

'Stay strong...be strong...don't tire. Don't be weary in well-doing.
Be strong.'
Her husband Todd came over and I told him what I told her. He began
to cry.

I emphasized the fact that he was to guard her at this time...and
know that '...she is GOD-CALLED and GOD-ANOINTED.' '...this is a GOD-THING
and your wife is a Present day Esther...she is for God to use at this
time...She is an Esther...she is an Esther...she is an Esther.'

'You will be hated...but stand strong...GOD has called both of you to
stand!'

'We are praying and I am praying for you...!'
At this moment, McCain came right to where I was finishing talking to
Todd and I told Mr. McCain exactly what I told to Sarah and Todd Palin.

'Mr. McCain, ...they are called of God and she is an Esther.'

'Don't lose hope and don't lose heart.'

'We are praying for all of you!'
He shook my hand and with a deep look of understanding what I had
just said, he said, 'Thank you for your prayers and support...I really do
mean that!'
And he turned and shook more hands...and I watched them as they went
through the crowd.

When I got to my car I sat there for quite a long time...knowing the
GOD of the Universe had just used me to deliver a message confirming to Sarah
and Todd to realize they are truly chosen vessels of God.

I wept. I have not stopped praying and crying. My heart is full
knowing they had to have all the staging and all the hype and all the
crowd...but the GOD of Heaven and Earth...wanted to give them a
Divine-God-Appointment!

To God be all the GLORY and HONOR.

If anyone wants to know if I believe God can speak.
Yes...Absolutely, is my Answer!

Buddy Walk

Kansas City Buddy Walk

Okay so my gracious husband kindly taught me how to put a direct link on our blog tonight:) Sorry for all you readers who have to cut and paste my web links. Here goes my new skills! Thank you if you have already donated to Carsten's Crew for this Saturday! We would appreciate any little donation for this wonderful cause! Its really more the thought than the amount that counts:) Thank you all!

By the way, did anyone see the Palin segment tonight on NBC with Brian Williams? They showed a few clips from her rallies and all the families with special needs there. One reporter stopped her on the way out and asked her about it and she talked about the bond she felt with these families and promised not to let them down. Then she asked her if it was emotional for her and she said a shaky yes and was crying a little:) Chad and I shed a few tears with her:) So special!

Love you all!

Momma Bridges

Girl with Down Syndrome gets crowned Homecoming Queen

And the tears keep on comin':) What a neat article and neat high school community:)

Homecoming Queen

Kansas City Buddy Walk!!!

Alright, calling all you Carsten fans!!! The annual Kansas City Buddy Walk is October is Saturday October 18th at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City!! We are getting very excited about going out for this event and seeing thousands of children with Down Syndrome and their families all there supporting the cause.

Our team name is "Carsten's Crew" Please go to https://www.syssolutions.com/kcbuddywalk/main/ and donate to our team which goes to the Kansas City Down Syndrome Guild and the national Down Syndrome organization. When you get to the main page, click on Donate and then type in Carsten's Crew and I am the team captain so Kari Bridges.

We're a little late getting our team together but please if you have a few seconds and a couple of dollars to give we would be thrilled!! The Kansas City Chief players will be there at the end of the walk to talk to the kids, there will be games, prizes, and food so if you're in the area come on out and support Down Syndrome!!!

Thanks everyone!!

More appointments

Its been a while since I've blogged or it seems like it anyway. We had a big week last week! Carsten and I went down to Fayetteville to visit the fam and sadly take our dog Bradley to my grandfather's house. We stayed with my grandmother, Carsten's Gigi (great-grandmother:) a few nights and Chad's aunt (aunt Nae) on Friday night. We had to say goodbye to our dog Bradley as the hairs were taking over our house and Carsten's allergies seem to be getting increasingly worse. Bradley is now living on a farm with another dog, his new best friend, and was the most happy I've seen him since we got him. I'm thankful it worked out and really have a peace about it:)

We had some appointments today in Kansas City. First was GI which went well, Carsten has gained good weight, he's 22lbs12 oz and 29.5 inches!! Woo hoo, grow Carsten grow!! Then we had an appointment with orthotics to measure for foot braces to help him walk, it turns out he doesn't need the braces!! The PT felt that he had good stability in his ankles and it was more his trunk/core that needed strengthening, yeah! He has been pulling to stand a lot more lately. He's babbling like crazy but still no m sounds, sigh, I guess mamma is still a ways away:(

He had his feeding clinic appointment with the OT which went well, he ate a piece of cheese puff without throwing up or choking! Yeah!

We're just still waiting for ENT to call and schedule his surgery for adenoids and tonsils.

So how bout my girl Palin! I thought she did fantastic on the debate and I was proud to be a Palin supporter. Chad thinks I'm obsessed, hmmm, oh well. I've been trying to watch and see if she comes close again to Kansas, you better betcha I'll be there holding Carsten up in the air saying, "look, I've got one too!!" (a family inside joke:) Seriously, she is such a breath of fresh air and exactly what we need in the White House. All these people that are so worried about her having to take over if McCain "chokes on a rib" is ridiculous if you are a believer. Do we not believe that God will guide her and give her wisdom in that situation? Do we not trust God with one of His own even if they are not the most "qualified" in a worldly sense?

Okay, I'll stop my Palin preachin':) I'm gunna go watch the second presidential debate now:) Love ya'll!!

Mamma Bridges