Graduation Weekend

Yesterday I graduated from Concordia-St. Paul with my master's degree in classroom instruction. It was a very special moment for me. For the past two years I have been attending class at OHS every Wednesday evening from 4:30-7:30. I am currently in my last class and still have 6 more weeks to go. I will definitely enjoy the time away from the computer when this is all over. Oh, that and writing papers in APA format-ick! I have to say thank you to everyone for all the kind words and gestures! To start off the celebration weekend, my dad and Chris sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Thank you! Matt surprised me with a dress that I had tried on last weekend but didn't think I should buy. When I went to iron my gown on Friday night I found the dress hanging underneath it. It was a great surprise! Thank you! Matt's Aunt Sharon and Uncle Ed came over with a beautiful wine bottle with lights inside to match our kitchen. Thank you! Thank you to Matt, Stacey, and the boys, Nate and Diane, and Dave and Vickie for the cards and gifts. Thank you to my brother and sister, Lauryn and Soren for attending the ceremony. Thank you to Dave and Vickie for watching Kelsey on Wednesday evenings when Matt is coaching so I can attend class. I truly appreciate it! Thank you to Matt for putting up with all the weekends of homework. Only one more year until you are done with your program!
The ceremony went great. They pronounced my name correctly and I didn't trip on the stage. What more could I ask for?

Graduation Online

This Saturday, I will be graduating from Concordia University-St. Paul with my master's degree in classroom instruction. Concordia has set up an online stream of the ceremony for those guests who cannot be there. If you would like to watch the ceremony, go to www.csp.edu. On the homepage you will see it says "Featured" about half way down the page on the right side. Underneath that it says Commencement 2009 Celebration Week. Click on this. If you scroll down just a little bit, you should see a box that says ustream. Inside this you have to click the down arrow to graduation ceremony #3 : Master's Degree. Not that you want to watch a graduation ceremony, but I thought I would put it out there for those that are bored on Saturday afternoon :)

Pretty in Pink

Kelsey got a new dress and wore it for Mother's Day. As usual, we had a photo shoot and took a ton of pictures. Enjoy!

Being a Mother

There were so many ways I could go with my post today. But in the end, there was really only one story that I felt I wanted to share. Growing up, I always played house and of course, loved being the mom. I would care for my cabbage patch dolls as if they were my real babies. Since I was the youngest child, I never had the opportunity to care for younger siblings, so I guess it was my way of getting to care for someone else. Because my own mother was so amazing, I had a great role model who taught me exactly the kind of mother I wanted to be when I got older. My mother was so loving and always put me first. She would do anything for her kids and we were so blessed to have such an amazing childhood because of her and my dad. So when I got married, I knew that having children was a dream of mine that I couldn't wait to fulfill. I never imagined my life any other way. So when it was difficult for me to conceive a child, it was very emotional. There were times that I didn't know if I would ever have a baby to hold in my arms. Therefore, the unforgettable day that Matt and I found out that we were expecting a child is engraved into my mind as one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Due to all of this, I promised myself that I would be grateful for every moment that motherhood had to offer. So during pregnancy, I did not complain about my changing body, but instead, embraced the beauty that I had a child growing inside me. When I couldn't sleep at night, I was thankful for the extra time to feel the baby kicking. Since Kelsey has been born, I again have tried to take in all the positives that I can. Kelsey is not the greatest sleeper, but I refuse to complain because I am thankful for the time we have together. When we buy diapers and formula, I am thankful we have a child to purchase these things for. I hope that I can forever keep this attitude because Kelsey is our miracle and when I look at her, I am so thankful that we were blessed with our sweet baby girl. On this mother's day, I am proud to be the mother of Kelsey Sandra Skala. She is my pride and joy and I am thankful to be her mama.

Kelsey woke me up with hugs and kisses!

Breakfast with the Skala clan

Happy Mother's Day, Grandma!

Big Girl

Today was Kelsey's 9 month check-up. She weighs 18 1/2 pounds and is 28 inches long. The doctor was asking me about all the things she can do and I was taken back by answering yes to so many questions. She can now pull herself up to a standing position and shimmy along the couch, pick up small food items and put them in her mouth, drink from a sippy cup, bring two objects together including her own hands, respond to her name, crawl like a mad woman, express stranger anxiety and sadness about separation, wave bye-bye, give kisses, and say mama, dada and baba. She is getting so big! She has pajamas that are separate tops and bottoms and I feel like she looks like a little lady when she wears them. The baby phase is fading fast! On a funny note, on Sunday in church we were standing for the opening song and Kelsey lets out this long, extended babble as if she is singing with the choir. We all cracked up. Maybe I can add singing to her list of things she can do soon!
She is getting so good at standing on her own.

Always a smile for the camera!

She loves to grab this frame from our bottom shelf. It of course melts my heart. We talk about Grandma Sandy all the time. I couldn't resist taking this picture.

Could it really be spring?

After months of being teased by Mother Nature, I think it might actually feel like spring! On Sunday we were able to get outside and enjoy the weather. Mattey even mowed the lawn for the first time this year. Kelsey played on her slide set. It was fun having her outside and not having to bundle her up in multiple layers. However, she did have to put on her hat because it looks like she is getting Mommy's fair skin. Her favorite thing was sitting on the deck and eating her puffs. Afterward, she took a snooze and then needed a bath. We can officially make a mohawk with her. Gotta love that!

Walk this Way

How is it that watching someone run can make you feel inspired? Growing up in a household with a father who is an avid runner, I have cheered on my dad through many marathons and always come out with the same feeling--inspired. It was no different on Saturday morning as Vickie, Stacey, Kelsey and I ventured out to take part in the first annual From the Heart 5k walk/run and 1/2 marathon. I will get it out there right away that I could only do the 5k walk part. There was no running by this girl. Although I have gone through my moments where I enjoy running, this was not one of those times. It was a beautiful spring morning and I could not have asked for better weather or company. The walk was held in honor of a local woman who recently passed away from breast cancer. Her cancer progressed quickly and she lost her battle after just one year. All the proceeds from the walk/run were given to the family to help with medical bills. What they had started off thinking would be a small event turned out to host over 600 participants. As we walked to the start line that morning, I had tears in my eyes many times. What a great feeling to be involved in such a wonderful activity. Plus, the idea of helping a family who has been stricken with cancer is near and dear to my heart. Matt's baseball team helped get everything set up, as well as cheer on the runners as they finished the 1/2 marathon. It was very special since the son of the Hilstad family is on Matt's baseball team. It was touching to see all the players there supporting their friend. Plus, later that day, the team wore pink socks in support of breast cancer awareness. It was an inspring moment that makes me want to run the 1/2 marathon next year. (I better start training now!)I have to mention that Kelsey of course was an angel the entire walk. I dolled her up in pink and she slept the whole time. She woke up at the very end, just in time to see her Daddy and give him a big smile. Way to go Owatonna for supporting such a great cause!

Coach Skala with his players behind him.

The crowd

Mama and Kelsey walking for a cause

The Skala Family supporting the From the Heart walk/run

The ladies ready for their walk