Erin Amundsen is blessed to be married to an extremely eclectic soldier in the United States Army for the last 8 years. She is extrememly grateful to be the mother of three crazy kids. Two beautiful daughters ages 7 and 3 and one very handsome little man who is 5.
While life has always been a little crazy it’s gotten increasingly more chaotic with each passing year. After moving 5 times in 5 years the Army has hopefully let them settle down a bit. Medical issues have been a constant for Erin over the last three years. Her son Colby had a stroke from E.coli poisoning when he was 2 years old. The family picnic in the mountains backfired into a major life changing experience. Colby went from a walking, talking, active little boy to one who has severe spastic reactive dystonia. He is no longer verbal and cannot control any of his muscles. He still understands everything and has taught his family the meaning of smiling through your tribulations.
To further complicate life, Erin’s 7 year old daughter was diagnosed as bi-polar in June of 2010. In order to deal with the chaos life has thrown at her Erin started blogging to keep family and friends updated on Colby and the families journey through life. You can find her engaging in her own version of free therapy at Amundsen House of Chaos. Blogging keeps her sane and offers others a glimpse into the chaos she calls life.
Life can be challenging balancing being a military spouse and your kids but add disabilities and mental health to the list and it becomes even harder. Erin maintains her sanity by having an amazing support system to help on bad days. Being a military wife taught Erin how to be independant but having a child who is medically fragile has taught her the importance of family, friends and faith.
Erin makes a daily effort to smile and laugh her way through life. It’s too exhausting to cry and all she ends up with is a headache and puffy eyes. She would like to encourage everyone to remain positive in the face of never ending trials. Your attitude can make a horrific situation into an amazing learning experience with just a little bit of effort and a whole lot of determination.
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You are such an amazing woman, Erin! Life’s trials and tribulations are indeed enlightening. Your little angels are full of love. You’ve proven yourself strong through all these. Hang in there! It’s good that you found an outlet. Writing really helps. Stay strong, brave hot mom! More love to you and your family.
Erin~
Oh my goodness! When I first started reading this post, hearing about three kids and moving so many times I thought, Wow that would be a challenge! Then to read on and I almost cried! It’s difficult enough to raise healthy children but to add your trials to the mix, man, my hat is off to you!!
It would be so difficult watching Colby understand what’s going on, yet have no control! As you said, it’s a challenge for all! Then to add bi-polar to the mix! I know everyone has trials, it’s the stuff of life, yet it isn’t easy!! It’s great that you’ve found solace in blogging! I know I have, it helps feeling the support of those around, no matter what the distance is!
Take Care~
Linda
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