little update

Just a little update, as I have been MIA lately.  We have been busy, with Addison's soccer, getting ready for baby, play dates and additional bouts with pink eye.

We went to the dr., ob/gyn. last Wed.  While everything looked great, Lil' Bit, is just that....little.
Therefore the dr. wants to take some precautions and get sonograms from here on out.  He is not overly "excited" about this, but also wants to take precautions.

In questioning his motives and sonograms. he said that if the baby is still measuring small, we will look at bed "evicting"  Needless to say, we are very anxious to see how Wednesday goes.

Last Monday, Jake came to me  as I was blow drying my hair.  he stood before me, looked at me dumbfounded and asked "What'd you do to me eye?" 

I looked down at him and sure enough, his little eye was locked shut from excess eye "goop."  Luckily we had just about 2 drops left of his eye drops and started that immediately, until we could get another script called in.  Although, it was an inconvenience, mostly for my mom, as she was once again, "the chosen" one to haul him around and watch him while I worked, I am glad it was just pink eye.

Do I dare even say it.....I will probably get shot by a handful of people for boasting, but here goes....

Jake has been seizure free for 11 days now!!! (knocking on wood, fingers crossed, and whispering this news)

I don't recall a time period of 11 days seizure freedom since this damn beast has come to visit.
While we are so very grateful, we are definitely "clenching!"
This beast is a bully and very sly...you never know what his plan may be.

Please pray for Aiden, as he is still in the hospital. He was able to leave ICU last week, but things have once again made a turn for the worse, so it looks like he may have to be taken back down to ICU very soon, as he is in NCS, nonconvulsive status. (more about NCS)

Aiden's caring bridge

No matter how steep the mountain - the Lord is going to climb

it with you.


- Helen Steiner Rice

ASI Birthday party

Better late than never

Jake had his first "real " birthday party this year, courtesy of ASI gymnastics. And what fun we had!

Matt told me at least 3 times throughout the party how cool it was and how great the staff hosting the kiddos was.

I think it is safe to say all the guests had a great time.

If you are ever wondering where to have a party , I tell you ASI is the place!

They also host parents night out on Friday's. We are looking into sending the twerps to those as well.

The staff is fully aware, informed and comfortable with seizure disorders, the whole place is padded, and the kids have the best time!

Addison has already declared this is where she wants her brthday party to be next Decemeber.

Not only did the staff completely enteratin the party while providing a safe enviroment, I did not have to lift a finger! They thought of everything! I literally just showed up with the kids and the rest was already done.

Enough from me though, I think the pictures of the true glee and excitement on all the kids faces speaks more than any words.

Silly Boy!

Soaring!

Soooo very proud of his "Birthday medal!"  he still carries this piece of jewelry with him everywhere!

Look how engaged and focused they kept the kids!  I don't know if I could ever have done that!

ASI Gymnastics


We can not and could never Thank ASI and David Holley enough  for giving Jake the most AMAZING birthday party!

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

~Albert Schweitzer

Mother's Day

I have read this poem before by Erma Bombeck, but it has been awhile.  Recently ,another mom of a special needs child just reposted it and I thought what a better time to share it with you.  On this wonderful Mother's Day.

Like the orginal poster, I too feel that Erma is wrong on one aspect of the selection.  Mom's of special needs children are not Saints, at least this mommy isn't.  Being a mom is what I signed up for and I am certain each and everyone of you out there would also rise to challenge, if indeed a special challenge was given to you.

You see, when we decided to have children, we chose to make them our priorities.  That is our job as parents.  To make our  kids, Addison, Jake and lil' bit, feel safe, to be there for them in times of need, and most importantly to push aside our own selfishness to care for the little ones that can't care for themselves.

This beast that we were given, has opened our eyes to empathy, Faith, priorities, and the things that should matter most.

Although, I wish we didn't have to see our little guy suffer, I wouldn't change the past 18 months for anything.

We are blessed. we have been through the trenches and the only way out is to look for the light and fight like hell back out of this hole.

To see our twerps fight their way through lifes challenges is what makes this mommy so very proud.

The Special Mom by Erma Bombeck, 1980



Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.


"Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint, Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint, Cecilia. Rudledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint, give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."


Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."


The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."


"Exactly," says God. "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."


"But has she patience?" asks the angel.


"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."


"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."


God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."


The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"


God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word.' She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma'* for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations."


"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see . . . ignorance, cruelty, prejudice . . . and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."


"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, pen poised midair. God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

Thank you to our dear Mothers, Babi and Granny, on this special day, as they have given Matt and I the ability to see the rainbows after every storm.  Without them and their lessons, patience, and  understanding this roller coaster ride would cetainly be much more bumpy.

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

Marathon

We have had a very busy week. 

I had planned on taking off on Wed so Jake and I could do a doctor appointment marathon.  It would all start with the always anticipatated ob appointment.  Then we would drive to Ft. Worth for Jake's neurologist appointment.  Finally, head back home for a peditrician appointment that afternoon.

Things took a turn Tuesday when I received a call from Addison's school, informing me she had thrown up from her excessive coughing.  Since the previous Friday, when her seasonal allergies started to kick in, she had been coughing and coughing.  Her cough is aggravated by running, walking or even sleeping.  She had been up all night every night since Saturday  coughing up a lung, until she would finally gag herself.  We tried everything, to no avail.

So, luckily my mom was able to pick Addi up Tues. and give her some TLC before she brought her back up to my school, where my dept was throwing me a baby showewr.  We had a great time and were showered with much love and gifts for our likttle man.

I took Addison to school Wed. morning, and about a hour later I got another call from the school nurse, informing me they thought she had pink eye.  So our plans change a bit once again.  Instead of hauling just Jake to the appts. I now would haul both kiddos and add an appointment for Addison.

1st appointment-  My appt. was great , uneventful, but great.  Baby is head down and low.  I go back in 2 weeks for the dilation check and a sonogram.  I am counting the minutes until that one, as these braxton hicks are really picking up.  Soo exciting!

2nd appointment-  GREATNESS!!!!!  Jake's appointmet took me over the top with joy.  His blood levels came back fine , in regards to liver functioning.  BUT, his blood levels were way low.  Meaning he is/was not even anywhere near therapuetic level with his meds.  To me this is great news.  If he has such good seizure control, depending on how you look at it...compared to where we have been, or simply seizures, on such low med levels, then hopefully a little tweak will really help him!  We decided to up Jake's Felbatol, and leave everythig else the same.  It is my hope, that if this works a bit we can wean his benzo, Clobazam.  Dr. H also informed that Clobazam was not as addictive of a Benzo as many out there.  This, too, was great news. 

I left that appointment on cloud 9! well until I found the screw in my rear tire...

3rd and 4th appointment-  Jake's well baby appt. went well.  The only hitch was he did not do so well on his eye exam.  The ped recommended we go see a specialist to make sure his eye sight is ok.

She also , thought that Jake could have a possible sinus infection, but we were going to wait it out, as he is already on so many meds.

It was also confirmed that Addison has a sinus infection and pink eye. 

Thursday Addi stayed home with my mom and dad to nurse herself back to health.

Friday, FINALLY.  I take both twerps to school and ...here we go again....within 1 hour of my work day, I get a call that Jake know has suspected pink eye.  Again my mom saves the day and is able to pick hm up, until I can leave work.  Thank goodness I work with some awesome people and they were able to make this happen for me!

By the time I picked up Jake his poor, little eye was swollen shut.  Luckily, when I called the dr., he was able to simply call in some scripts for Jake, so we didn't have to go sit in a crowded waiting room again and pay some more copays.

Although, our counter currenty looks like a drug store, both twerps are feeling and looking much better!

A bee is never as busy as it seems; it's just that it can't buzz any slower.

Kin Hubbard

Creepin'

Unfortunately the past couple weeks, the nocturnal tc's have been creepin' up in numbers and intensity.

Jake has a neurologist appointment on Wednesday, so hopefully we can figure things out then.

We were asked to have Jake's blood levels checked last week.  So that is what he did first thing, bright and early on his birthday.  Luckily, the kid lOVES getting his blood drawn, so that was an excellent birthday present to him.

I am anxiously awaiting the news on those results, as I always take for granted everything will be just fine.  The blood levels check his current medicine levels and also make sure there isn't any damage being done to his liver.  The liver is what metabolizes all these drugs he is on, so it, the liver, can take a beating.

I think the plan may be to increase some meds, if indeed his med levels come back ok.

I am not quite sure how I feel about increasing meds that he has worked so hard to get rid of.

But, I certainly don't want to see all these seizures back.  The past couple days we have had 3-5 a moring and 3 during naps.  Usually, I would kind of shrug these off , but they are also coming back with increasing intensity.

However, I also don't want to see his cognition and "zip" be lost again as well as a result of more meds being on board.

Hopefully, Dr. H will have some fabulous, miraculous plan that will "CURE" everything!:-)  It doesn't hurt to be optimistic!:-)

My worst fear is that seizures beget seizures.  If these seizures are creepin' back with a vengence, are we going to see the dreadful drops again?!

Hopefully, these can all be chalked up to a simple growing spurt and a slight adjustment of meds will put us back on track!

On a side note:

Please pray for Aidan and his family.  He is a fellow Doose patient going through a very difficult time right now.

Read about Aidan here

"If God gives it to you, he will lead you through it."

You've come a long way baby!

Happy Birthday sweet boy! 
My, how far you have come!  You never cease to amaze me little man.  Keep moving those mountains and let nothing stand in your way!

Jake's 1st birthday

Jake's 2nd birthday

Jake's 3rd Birthday

Jake's 4th Birthday

(swollen and fresh from the hospital)

Jake's 5th Birthday

Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again. ~Menachem Mendel Schneerson

again?

Ugghhh Again with the numerous tc's?

Last night/ early morning Jake logged 6 nocturnal tc's again.  He had been doing so great!

I seriously wonder, if he gets so worn out over the weekend that his little body just can't handle it and the seizures are the only way it knows to cope?

Who knows, but looking back, he was on a pretty good run last week as well, until Tuesday.  He had about 6 tc's on Tuesday and then improved again, with little to none, until last night.

Ugghh it gets so frustrating. Just as I think things are getting better, or I am starting to make connections between activities and diets and seizures, something like last night happens.

I am ready for this whole mess to leave our lives just as quickly as it entered.

It's the little things I miss.  The things we have once so taken for granted:

signing him up for  sports

keeping him up late, past 7:00, to watch movies, work on puzzles, or simply enjoy the great Texas weather

rewarding him with sugary treats

date nights (not many feel comfortable enough to stay with him.  It has been over 18 month since we have gone out just the two of us! I take that back, in October The kids stayed with my parents over night, as Matt and I attended the Roundup for Autism...hmmm how many months ago was that?  How far along am I?:-))

leaving the house without a suitcase full of medicine and "emergency medicine"

If the beast was to leave today, I would not miss:

THE ANXIETY

The phrase "we can't because of Jake" or  always telling Addison later b/c Jake can't, or Jake can't have that and it completely affecting Addison as well.

sharing our bed

the daily medicine administration

the total and complete over anyalzation of EVERY little thing he does.

The feeling of embarassment or the need to apologize for  his EXTREME ADHD and behavior brought on by seizures

wanting to back out of every playdate, as I dont know how he will act

and mostly..... having to explain to people why I have no desire to be social and "hang out," as being a working, mostly single, as Matt travels so much,
pregnant mother, of a child with special needs, gets quite exhausting!

(I will not miss the high school drama and gossiping behind my back that goes with the above either)

The lists could go on and on....

For right now though, we are good.  I just simply can't wait for it to be GREAT!

  Jake, and Addi, have come so far in this journey and I am certain it has made them much stronger people.  I am amazed with them daily.  They have so much compassion, empathy and understanding.  Those traits can never be taught!  and I am certain they would not  possess them, had the beast not come for a visit.  They are certainly my little hero's.  I continue to learn from each and every day.

"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope."


Martin Luther King

Texas Bluebonnets

 

The kids and I had some fun romping in the Bluebonnets yesterday. I am practicing with manual settings on the camera, so any opportunity is a photo opportunity in my eyes! Luckily, the kids humor me and play along with my little adventures.

The twerps had a blast smelling the flowers, and running through "Texas!" They both just rcently had lessons at school discussing all things Texas. So this was actually a perfect lesson wrap up! Addison was sure to tell us MANY times that the police would come arrest us, if we picked one of the state flowers.

(these pictures look MUCH more grainy, than they did before the "blog upload." I wonder what I am doing wrong?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pooper Scooper!

Pooper scooper= me cussing

Jake had been having a great seizure free run!  I think it had been about 3-4 days without any seizures.  That is our longest stint in a while.

However, last night/early morning, this was shattered.  For what ever reason from between 3 am and 6 am he had 6 tc's.  They were little and under 10 seconds long, but still, that seems like a pretty big cluster.  So I finally just woke him up, so this dreadful sequence would halt.

I feel like "something"  must have changed last night to make the beast come out and play.  Was it something he ate?  that he drank?  was he too tired? growing spurt?   Did I give his meds at a different time?

 Who knows.... it gets exhausting analyzing and over analyzing every little things that child does.

I feel like I am living in  constant "clench mode."

Hopefully the days to come will be much better!


The greater the obstacle,

the more glory in overcoming it.
~ Moliere ~

Hair today, gone tomorrow

This is how our sweet turd,otherwise known as Jake, approached me about a week ago.

Yes, with a large wad of his sweet, baby boy, blonde locks in his hands.  I almost fell to the floor in a panic!  Where was the "spot" that all this hair came from.  Luckily, because he has so much hair, a bald spot was barely visible! 
Phew, because that hair makes me smile and I don't ever want him to lose it.

Although, I love his long hair, especially when it curls in the humidity, one must get a trim every now and then.  Jake was certainly due for a cut this  apast week.  The Texas heat and that mop of hair scres the begeezies out of me, in regards to seizures.  I also, figured, it may be a good idea for him to actually be able to see what he is trying to read in school, and where he is trying to travel to down the hall.

So after gymnastics Thursday, I took him to a new hair salon, as his normal kids place was closed.

Jake is stoked about getting his hair cut. I am a tad nervous, as I don't trust many with my baby's hair.  My "sign" should have been when Jake looked up at the hair dresser, now armed with shiny new blades, and said "how'd you lose that tooth?"

She proceeded to cut and it appeared to me she was acknowledging my request to "keep it long" " just trim it up."

It took about 3 steps out of the door, before the waterworks started.  These weren't "pregnant, drama queen" tears, these were "MY BOY HAS A MULLET" tears.  As Matt said, "he looks like he should be driving a 76' Camero....those words did not really help the situation.

 

Luckily, I was able to get an appointment with Jake's regular hair stylist bright and early Saturday morning.  Good thing, because I was sure glad to quit walking him around with a bag over his head.

His stylist, literally did not even recognize him.  She tried to give "that boy" away to another hair dresser.

She did do a great job of cleaning up the diaster, that was Thursday's hair massacre, but now all his white blonde has disappeared, as did his lovely locks of curls.

He certainly looks handsome (pic coming this evening) and is very proud of his new ability to lift his hair into a faux hawk, but I am still completely heart broken. 

Is it wrong that I seriously considered dying his hair this weekend, or can't wait until he can get into the pool so I can pour lemon juice all over his head to bleach his hair back to "surfer boy blonde?"

Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts.
Jim Morrison

Strollin'

Wow! The stroll has already come and gone. I feel as if we have been preparing for the big day for months and now it is over...until next year... so for now we can only plan how to make it bigger and better.

Once again, it was an amazing day filled with great friends, new friends, many supporters, and many amazing people.

Not only did our team grow to close to 100 this year, I believe the stroll was a much bigger event as well.

 

Again, driving up brought a whirlwind of emotions. Not knowing what exactly to expect, who will would see, and simply seeing all the masses of people together for a common cause was so overwhelming.

Again, flashes of last year danced around in my head. As I tried to chat with friends I had not seen in literally years, introduce myself to new friends this beast has blessed me with, and try to pay attention to close friends and family, I could not help but picture last year.

Last year, we had Diastat out and ready, Jake was strapped into a stroller and he was wearing the lovely blue helmet. Now, here he was , just a year later, running, climbing and chatting with friends, family, and teachers.

I could not help but praise God for every minute he has given us with this little boy. Praise him for how much he has helped Jake heal. Praise him for helping our family get through this and Praise him for the support we have been given.

Walking around the grand Dallas zoo last week, you could not walk very far without spotting an "All 4 Jake" tshirt. We were everywhere! We had invaded the zoo! It was so very touching knowing people had come out of the woodworks for our little guy and our family.

What had we done to deserve such a overflow of kindness? Why were all these people there for us?

I still can't wrap my head around the magnitude of support and blessings that have been given to us throughout this ordeal. Witnessing this support first hand, through the wearing of t-shirts, selling of cupcakes, making of ribbons, gathering of donations, prayers, and words of kindness, is simply surreal to me. What have we done to deserve such support?

On top of all this support. ASI gymnastics has graciously offered to host a birthday party for Jake next week. This will be Jake's first "real" party! David Holley, with the Epilepsy foundation and ASI gymnastics, whom I met last year, took it upon himself to provide Jake with his first party in a very padded enviroment! (this very much eases mommy's anxiety!:)) Donations can still be made in Jake's name to the Epilepsy foundation. We would love to raise at least 200 more dollars, the cost of the party.

Thanks you all for all your support! Your presence, whether physical or emotional, meant the World to us!

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

How far he has come

I have been reflecting upon where Jake was a year ago and can not believe how far he has come! He is my hero!

April 2009

I simply pray that this "good run" continues!

Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future.
It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.
- Joni Erickson Tada

Stroll for Epilepsy!

The Dallas stroll for Epilepsy is just days away! If you are in the area, please Join Team All 4 Jake and come with us for a fun day at the zoo, raising Epilepsy awareness.

If you can't make it but would like to donate to the awesome cause visit Jake's page

There is also another great way to donate, but also get somthing in return. PLease visit ASI's silent auction!


ASI SILENT AUCTION
You have until the 9th!
Birthday Parties
One Year of Gymnastics
Private Lessons
and three great sports packages
NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts 300
Friday April 16
2 Tickets to the Novacopy Luxury Suite
Garage and Pit Pass
Includes access to events all day with food and beverage
Value $300
NNS O’Reilly Auto Parts 300
Saturday Package April 17
2 Tickets to Novacopy Luxury Suite
Garage and Pit Pass
Includes Food and Beverage all day!
Value $400
Texas Ranger vs. Detroit Tigers
Friday Night, April 23rd.
4 Tickets to Luxury Suite
Includes food and beverage, food value $200!
Value $400 - 5 Packages available.
Stop by any ASI location today to bid!

let's go strollin'

"Nate's walk"

During Spring Break the kids and I have taken to going on a walk after dinner. The Texas Spring evenings are absolutely beautiful and it is a wonderful way for all of us to let our dinner settle, as well as shake off any extra energy that may be hindering us from settling down for bed.
The other night they decided to make it a "Nate's walk",or as most would call it a nature walk.

Jake and I have been talking about Easter, The Resurrection and "Punches Pirate," Pontius Pilate.

He is enamored by learning the  crucifixion of Christ.

So this particular evening on our "Nate's walk" Jake dressed himself to go "seize Punches Pirate." He was armed with head gear and even a sword.

 

 

Every tree he spotted become the cross Jesus was nailed to, every, any sort of sharp object, became the throns that adorned Jesus's head. And every moving object became "Punches Pirate," so Jake would chase down the "Pirate," to "capture and seize the bad guy." (his words not mine)

All this chasing and seizing and blood talk, made me realize maybe I should keep the bible lesson teaching to the pros at church. Apparently all my son got out of my Easter, resurrection bible study, was blood, guts and the enemy!:-) (/j/k  he actually learned a lot from our little talks, and I even think he gets the TRUE reason fo rthe day)

Meanwhile, as we chased the villians, Addison collected "things from nature."

Can you tell whose pile is whose?

 

 

I love our after dinner walks and very much look forward to them every evening. Each one is certainly a new adventure.

I am so very fortunate to have this time with my children and discuss the things that really matter and make us who we are, like the Death and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Wishing you and yours a very blessed and Happy Easter.

"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."
-- Matthew 28: 6-10 KJV

Race for wishes

ON Saturday we got up bright and early for some family fun running!
We participated in our first 5k as a family, the Make a Wish Race for Wishes.

It was a blast!

Jake was so excited he even got up and dressed himself.

Being almost 8 months pregnant, Matt never having run a race, 2 small kids and a grandpa, we were very unsure how long we would last on this cool, windy morning. We even threw around the idea of ditching the 3.2 miles and runnig the 1 mile Fun Run instead.

However, the momentum and energy of the event got the best of us and we all finished the 5K!

Before the race Jake got to meet up and superhug one of his wish givers Christine!

Addison did a super job and ran the entire time, except when she had to stop and walk to wait on her pacers, Matt and Papa.

She can't wait to run another race.

Jake and I alternated running and walking. He did a great job and I was so very proud of him. As he approached the finish line his adrenaline got pumping, he picked up his speed, and he was grinning from ear to ear.

The crowd energetically cheered for the "little wish kid wearing the green shirt." Jake followed, and also cheered for himself. This kid never stops smiling, but I don't know if I have EVER seen him be so proud of himself.

As I parent, as I watched him cheer, run and smile across that finish line, the past year flashed in front of me.

Was this the same kid that a year ago, almost to the day, couldn't even hold his head up, much less walk?

Last year at this time, we spoon fed him all his meals in a highchair or on the floor surrounded by pillows.

Last year at this time, he would go through a couple shirts a day, as they were quickly soaked from his excessive drooling.

Was this the same child, who had sat in the ER far too many times in 9 months, waiting to be sewn back together?

Was this really my son running toward me, who was basically in a drug and seizure induced coma for 9 months of his life....just a year ago?

All these thoughts swirled inside my head in the brief moment as I saw the complete elation in his little face as he crossed the finish with a cheering crowd backing his every step.

That moment, with my daughter as happy as a lark from completeing one of her first milestones, my husband and family by my side, and my little hero dashing toward me, I am quite sure I have never been so thankful, nor proud to be a mommy in my life!
 My kids are fighters!
 They sure as heck can conquer any darned obstacle thrown at them.

The Make a Wish Foundation is so much more than I ever thought it was! For them we are Thankful! They truly make wishes and dreams come true!


Let us rise up and be thankful,
for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little,
and if we didn't learn a little,
at least we didn't get sick,
and if we got sick, at least we didn't die;
so, let us all be thankful.
- The Buddha