Finding Our Way Home

Have you checked out Redbox's facebook page lately

2012-01-26T12:38:00.000-06:00

Right now you can enter for a chance to win 3 years worth of Redbox rentals by playing the Rebox Movie Awards Game.

Golden Globe® Awards nominees have been announced and the awards presented on 1/29/12, so head on over to Redbox on facebook and play the game...give them your pics, challenge your friends and enter the game. To play and for official rules please visit http://www.facebook.com/redbox?sk=app_317341738290302

Progresso Souper You Contest (giveaway)

2012-01-24T09:02:00.000-06:00

Are you ready for a new look this New Year? Progresso^® is excited to announce the return of their Souper You^® Contest giving you the chance to win an incredible makeover! By telling Progresso why you deserve a makeover and what you love about their soup, you could have the chance to win an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood this Spring!

Now that the ball has dropped and the confetti has settled, it’s time to consider how you will stick to your resolution for the New Year and maintain your weight management plan, without sacrificing on variety or the taste of foods you love. Thanks to Progresso^®, you can have your soup and eat it too!

With 40 delicious soups with 100 calories or less per serving, Progresso Soup has a variety of offerings that help you beat diet boredom and satisfy your taste cravings, while helping you stick to your weight management calorie goals. Progresso soups are packed with hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, rice, meat and vegetables that suit your taste buds and make you feel good about including it in your meal choices.

This year, the Souper You^® Contest will provide three lucky winners with an ultimate makeover experience in Hollywood; this includes a trip for 2 to Los Angeles, California where the winner will receive a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with a $1,000 fashion retailer gift card, $1,000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season’s live finale of NBC’s The Biggest Loser
Progresso is asking fans to visit www.SouperYou.com and submit their photo with a brief essay about why they love Progresso soups and why they deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd
Fans can check back on March 12th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th
In addition, visit http://bit.ly/ProgressoCoup to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of four (4) cans of Progresso Soup today.(while coupons last)
Also, tune into The Biggest Loser on NBC Tuesdays at 8/7c

I have always loved Progresso Soup and all their selections! I think it is a great way to stick with your weight loss resolutions by adding this in for a meal. For this promotion I also received the weight loss DVD "The Biggest Loser". I love it! It is broken up into 10 minute sections, so you can do cardio or weight training, or both. So if you do not have an hour to workout, pop in this DVD and do 10 minutes at a time. I haven't tried the other option yet, but it also comes with a 30 day workout program.

Win it! One lucky reader can win a Progresso Souper You prize pack! To enter fill out the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is for US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The Progresso^® Souper You^® prize pack, information, coupon, and giveaway have been provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark

Today is International Day of Acceptance....Embrace, Educate, Empower

2012-01-20T09:54:00.000-06:00

To achieve social acceptance of disability.
To honor the late Annie Hopkins, founder of 3E Love and creator of the International Symbol of Acceptance.

Join the movement at
http://www.dayofacceptance.com

Our story: I wear my 3elove shirt to support my children. Today is a hard one for me, as we had a genetics appointment yesterday. My oldest who is 10 has taken a very significant decline the past 4 years. Today she is not only wheelchair bound, but can barely move any of her body independently. I wear my shirt for her, to support her no matter what her condition is....She is loved unconditionally! I do embrace diversity...but sometimes things just do not seem fair. I always questioned why my daughter had to be disabled....but accepted it...always saying it could be worse. Then she did become worse. There are days that I have to accept it....there are days I try to empower her or others, and days I educate others..but there are days when I just want to say it all sucks! Yesterday was one of those days. When you visit genetics because not only is your oldest having issues, but your other children as well. Yesterday we learned that the doctor definitely has concerns that our youngest may possibly have mitochondrial disease also. It is hard to accept that all my children have special needs....but I will accept it. I will fight as much as I can though to empower every single one of them as much as I can. I will educate others...so they are accepting...so they will search for reasons...so we can find appropriate medical treatment...but mostly so they all can receive caring treatment and words from others...not discriminating ones! No matter what conditions my children have...they all have rights! So today I will wear my heart on my sleeve....for those, like my children that can not express it!

Wear your heart on your sleeve and join together to: Embrace diversity. Educate your community. Empower each other. Love life.

www.3elove.com

Wearing my heart...along with my three hearts for each of my children!

shop the gift basket store (giveaway)

2012-01-18T14:17:00.002-06:00

A pretty big shopping holiday is coming up soon....Superbowl! Ha Ha .... yeah I know you were thinking Valentine's Day, but I'm sure the men would much rather shop for the Superbowl. Well why not make it easy and check out shopthegiftbasketstore.com and you could pick something up for both!

Shopthegiftbasketstore.com offers a huge selection of gift baskets for just about any occasion. Got a Superbowl party you are throwing or attending...or a football fan that you can not watch the game with? Send them one of these great gift baskets.

Then I am sure you are trying to figure out what to get your sweetheart for Valentines day. Shopthegiftbasketstore.com has a great selection of gifts and baskets that any of your loved ones would love!

Not looking for these. Shopthegiftbasketstore.com has gifts for most occasions like sending thank yous, sympathy gifts, baby gifts, birthdays, or just for the everyday thinking about you.

Such beautiful and delicious looking baskets. When I was pregnant we decided on the baby name Lauren...and all our kids have a "bug" nickname and hers is lady bug....and check out the cute baby gift they offer, snug as a bug!

What ever the occasion shop the gift basket store! To get you started they have offered one lucky reader a $20 gift certificate towards anything from their store. To enter fill out the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-18T10:40:00.000-06:00

Zach loving his railroad crossings! He had to hug it LOL!

Taking care of decorating the baby's nursery

2012-01-18T10:27:00.000-06:00

Guest post written by Samantha Rollins

I'm running up against the biggest deadline of my life, my pregnancy. I need to get my nursery all decorated and I'm really trying to wrap up a project at work before my maternity leave. So I'm super busy. At least it's a distraction from all the weight that I'm gaining!

I'm now well known for my decorating skills or anything, so I'm trying to make sure that I include everything that the baby could possibly need. While I was online looking up some of that stuff, I ran across some info on garage doors. We have a carport now and I'd love to have garage doors as a way to hide our mess, so I think that we're going to get some.

I found some really great inspiration from a nursery remodel project that just turned out so cute! It definitely helps to have some examples to go by when you're doing something for the first time. I'm sure I'll be following even more examples when the baby finally comes!

#Mamavation Monday - True Resolutions (giveaway)

2012-01-16T14:24:00.001-06:00

Pretty soon many people that have started their New Years resolutions start giving up. I haven't done great yet, but I am not giving up. I remember making the resolution three years ago to get healthy and I did it....So I know I can do it again! It is just time to really get serious about it and get motivated.

I was planning on following the 30 day guide from "Get Off the Couch Potato" by Kathi Casey, but I was a couch potato this week. I only exercised twice all week. So I am starting over again this week and WILL do it this time. My husband also reminded me to get back using the Wii and doing my hula hooping again. (you know while he sits and watches me wiggle my butt lol) So I think I am going to challenge myself to do that again...I think I am going to aim for once a day. I need to tighten up on my diet also. I slacked off over the weekend. So this week I am going to actually weight myself and get going.

Mamavation Blogging Carnival question: What are your latest healthy food discoveries?

This week mamavation is sponsored by The Chia Co. One thing I actually have been doing lately is adding Chia to my oatmeal. I let it soak in a little warm milk first while my oatmeal is cooking. It gives it another texture and flavor to my oatmeal. I like sweetening my oatmeal by adding in a little dried cranberries. This is the only way I have tried it...so if anyone has any other recipes let me know.

One other thing I do like is orange juice this time of year. The family starts getting colds, and to me OJ something that is comforting and good way to fight them. On the same hand I shouldn't drink so much calories. So I was happy when I was asked to try out Trop50.

I haven't tried it yet, but will be soon. Tropicana Trop50 is just 50 calories per 8 ounce serving.
Each 8-ounce glass of Trop50 squeezes in a full day’s supply of vitamin C and is also a good source of antioxidant vitamin E. Sounds like a good option to me!

Want to try it? Check out Trop50 True Resolutions:

Behind every New Year’s resolution is a secret motivation. Do you really want to lose weight to feel healthier or is it really to fit into that a-MAY-zing dress that’ll make your ex do a double take? This year, Trop50 True Resolutions celebrates the real reasons behind New Year’s resolutions. There’s no reason to sugarcoat the truth, only reasons to be your fabulous self!

Share your secret motivation and you’ll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of your friends. You can even submit incognito with a fierce disguise. Bonus: Whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a $1000 gift card.

Limit one (1) $1 coupon per person/email address/Facebook account. Coupons available while supplies last.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 1/31/2012. See Official Rules for details.

Giveaway:
So head on over to Trop50 on facebook, and share your resolution! They have also offered one of my lucky readers a prize as well...... A $50 Spa & Wellness Gift Cards bySpa Week® !!!

To enter this giveaway:

Leave a comment here telling me what your resolution is.

For extra entries:

Like Trop50 on facebook.
Enter your resolution on their True Resolutions page on facebook.
Like my blog on facebook.

This giveaway will end on Jan. 31 and the winner will be notified by email. Please only one entrant per household/IP address. Make sure to leave a valid email. Please leave a seperate comment for each entry. You may enter similar giveaways on other blogs, but it is at the discretion of the sponsor if you can receive multiple prizes.

I will be receiving a coupon for a free bottle of Trop50 to review. This giveaway is sponsored by Tropicana and is not sponsored by Mamavation. This post is also sponsored by The Chia Co and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women”.

Photohunt: Theme Circular

2012-01-14T22:50:00.000-06:00

Here is my "circular" pic....I took this pic during the fall...Does it remind you of any yellow smileys you see around lol

It's been hard to get back to "normal"

2012-01-13T10:17:00.000-06:00

Probably because I have never really known "normal" for several years now. When I first started writing my blog it was to advocate for my children having special needs and to raise awareness for their disabilities. Then things were calm for a while and I started entering giveaways and then doing reviews myself. I liked doing this. It was something that made things seem "normal".

Then we get stays in the hospital, and worsening of conditions. Then back home again. How do you go back to what seems "normal" when you realize it never really has been. I have always been the strong one, the positive one....but also the one that tucks my feelings inside so that others stay strong. Maybe for my health I should express those more often. I actually fear how others will react if I let my feelings out more. I hate to alienate even more people, because either they don't like how I feel, or they don't know how to react to how I feel. I also hate the other side of it too....getting too much attention. I like people to just have "normal" conversations.

So that being said....if I start expressing more of my feelings here...dont run away...dont feel you need to say anything either. Also believe me I am such a mixed bag of emotions lately (and a woman) that I may say one thing one day (or minute) and then say the opposite the next.

Also for those that are typically here pretty much just to enter a giveaway, I am sorry, but I feel like these will definitely be much less. I am just not "feeling" it lately. I do have some items to tell you about that I have used recently, but overall they are going to be less. I just dont have the physical time or emotional time to do some of these tasks.

Wordless Wednesday...First time at zoo

2012-01-11T10:00:00.000-06:00

This weekend we went to the zoo. It was Lauren's first time. She was great that day and seemed to enjoy it.

I thought I would share a couple videos too. They are of some new little ones at the zoo. I forget what the first little things are called, but there is a baby bouncing around. We also got to see the lion cubs that were born there this summer.

Have you tried the new Frosted Toast Crunch?

2012-01-10T14:54:00.003-06:00

Cinnamon Toast Crunch has been a favorite in my house for a while now. Since my stepdaughters moved in with us this is one cereal that goes fast. Now they have another option to try too, Frosted Toast Crunch! Each crunchy baked square has the great taste of frosted vanilla and still has that great cinnamon crunch.

Each serving has 11 grams of whole grains! This is a great way for my children, and even my father in law who raids the box often, to get some whole grains. My son is very picky about cereals and this is one of the few he will eat. Frosted Toast Crunch is now available in the stores and makes not only a great breakfast item, but also a great snack for school time. I will most likely be sending this often for a classroom snack. I have to make sure to put it in the backpack as soon as I purchase it, otherwise the box typically is opened before the next morning!

Win a fun Frosted Toast Crunch prize pack! This prize pack is not only delicious but fun fun fun! I actually fight over the spilled milk bowl and this the lickety spoon is so funny! To enter fill out the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: The Frosted Toast Crunch information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Myblogspark.

#Mamavation Monday

2012-01-09T18:28:00.000-06:00

I started the week off strong, but slacked off some at the end of the week. Today I got back with it and will hopefully have a stronger week. After spending weeks at the hospital with Kennedy, getting back in the swing of things last week was a bit tough. I had to do a lot of errands and a couple doctors appointments. This week there is no appointments, so hopefully I can get into more of a routine to guide me along. I am also hoping for a now one year old to start sleeping better! I think she is cutting some molars and has been sleeping terribly at night. This really makes it tough to be motivated to do a lot. I noticed last week when I was more tired, or stressed from too much baby crying, then I would turn to food and being a couch potatoe. So I am hoping to get with it this week, and overcome these things.

The good for last week: I managed to cut my soda down, and avoided getting fast food while I was out a couple times. I exercised twice, and did some other moving around like spending the afternoon at the zoo yesterday. I cut back on junk food.

The bad for the week: I got stressed and overtired and ate some junk food and drank soda by the end of the week. I was doing good, and let one slip lead to another slip. While I did exercise a couple days, which is much more than I have done the last couple months, I did not do it how often I wanted to.

Goals for this week:

Moving: Exercise by following the 30 day program in "Get Off the Couch Potato" by Kathi Casey. I read through about the first week of this and it really is just starting off with some basic exercise and breathing and adding on some everyday. So I will try to do at least this, and probably add in at least a couple days of my Wii exercises. I picked up a 4" step for my balance board and created a 35 min. step aerobics, boxing, and a couple other activities from EA sports Active 2 (which I got by being a Mamavation Sista!).

Eating: I am going to make sure I eat a healthy breakfast everyday. No cereal this week for me. I find if I focus on a good breakfast then I do better through out the day. I am also going to aim for NO soda at all, and only healthy snacks. I am aiming for a lot more veggies.

I thought about joining in the 2 week challenge, but decide not to do it this time. I want to start back at a pace I know I can stick with. I find if I am pressured too much when I am trying to get back on the wagon I will just get frustrated and end up quitting. So I am starting out slower, and hopefully adding on as the weeks go on. Then I will be ready to join in later down the road.

Disclosure: I have received some products free either for review, by winning them, or by being a member of mamavation. This does not influence my opinion of these products.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-04T08:03:00.000-06:00

Our family lost a very special person on new years morning. We will miss you Grandma!

Here is four generations.

Although in this picture she is not with a family member, I thought this was a great picture of Grandma.

#Mamavation Monday

2012-01-02T14:42:00.000-06:00

well this will be quick because life has been hectic. I have not posted a mamavation post in quite a while, but it is new years and I need to start new. I think back to three years ago when I made the resolution to get healthy, and actually did it....until I got pregnant and then gained everything back. My baby is a year old and its been a crazy year ...so now it is time to get with it again. I will be looking into working out again and getting more resources for getting healthy. So look forward to seeing more of my posts. I am already checking out some cookbooks and magazines for recipes, and a new book called "Get Off The Couch Potato" by Kathi Casey. So look forward to me telling you more about these items, and most likely my Wii...as that was my best friend last time. So I'm back....how about you?

2011-12-23T13:30:00.000-06:00

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Lemonhead Superfan?

Brickfish

Are you getting anything on your Christmas list?

2011-12-22T18:46:00.000-06:00

I actually have gotten a couple great gifts from my husband already. He spoiled me this year and got me two of the things I have really been asking for. So am I asking for snow for Christmas? It is pretty green outside still. I personally do like seeing a little snow on Christmas, but this year I would just like decent weather. I told my husband I wanted to go somewhere warm and sit on the beach for Christmas. I know that is not going to happen, but I can still check out warm weather stuff like patio furniture and steel frame gazebos. I would like to go back to the warm peaceful days that we had this summer.

So what are some nice gifts for us women? Well everyone likes the tech gadgets this year...you know all those tablets and cameras make great gifts! Many of us like more personal things too. Some nice perfume, clothing, or household items. I would not recommend getting a new vacuum or dishes, unless that is really something she asked for. I know I would be like "thanks, something more for me to work with" lol.

Me, I love pictures and picture frames. I really need some new ones like a standing picture frame. Since having Lauren all my picture frames are off. I used to have two like ones, one for Zach and one for Kennedy. I think they look funny when I add a different one to the mix. I also really need to get photos done of my kids. I did get Laurens newborn, but none since. I also did one of Kennedy myself. Now I still need to take the twins to get their senior pictures done, need to take Lauren to get her one year, and seeing Zach hasn't had a photo done in since probably he was a year old, he is on that list too.

One other thing I need is lots of new furniture for my living room. My couch is going to fall apart soon. We have a cracked very old light fixture above our desk. My desk itself is very ugly. Then it drives me nuts because I do not have a clock in the room. I have the one on our cable box, but it is behind a frosted door, so typically can't see what time it is. I would love to get something like these square wall clocks.

I would love this first one, but I had to post this train clock also. I saw this and thought of Zach. He would absolutely love the lights and sounds!

Besides all those things the one thing I want the most I highly doubt I will get any time soon. I really want new flooring in my kitchen and family room! I know, that is a big request. Some day! How about you. What are you asking for and do you think you will get it?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-21T14:33:00.001-06:00

Seeing I am not able to be there...here is another skype picture of Lauren. Im getting to check her out with the birthday present I picked out for her.

Santa is checking his list.

2011-12-19T22:14:00.002-06:00

Well it is almost Christmas. So how many of you are still needing to go Christmas shopping. I am just about done. The kids are done, except maybe a couple small items for their stockings. I know as a kid opening up my stocking was just as fun as the big gifts. I think my kids like it too. It is pretty nice living here in Wisconsin. Many around this area do stockings twice. Once on Christmas but also earlier in December on St. Nick's Day. It is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. I can't say what Santa is bringing the older kids....they actually read this blog of mine from time to time. I can however share what is in the younger kids stockings, and what I would still like to get.

For Zach he is all about Cars2, trains and angry birds. So he will love his stocking. Besides having a some yummy candy I picked up some fun Cars 2 items from Target's dollar section. I love that section for stocking stuffers. They had fun notebooks, pens, puzzles and even socks all that were Cars 2 themed. He also is getting his long awaited for Thomas train he has been asking for. I could never find this one in the store I finally ordered it off amazon.com. Lady has been one of his favorite characters since reading one of his Thomas stories a couple years ago. She is magical you know...just like Christmas! One of the last things that I am sure he will love my sister actually picked up. He is getting an Angry Birds watch! He loves numbers, keeping track of the time and of course Angry Birds.

One thing both of the younger kids will be getting is a new toothbrush. This is a must with all the candy they get...but also it is a family joke. Years ago Kennedy was opening her stocking and unwrapped a toothbrush. Zach started crying. He cried and cried with jealousy. He wanted a new toothbrush so much. I guess even more than any of the fun presents in his stocking. He got the biggest smile when he finally got to the bottom of the stocking and unwrapped his new toothbrush! This year they will be getting a new crayola toothbrush from GUM.

We get these types every time we go to the dentist. The suction cup bottoms are great to keep the toothbrush standing up. We got to try out a couple other types that they carry recently also. The GUM Crayola Timer Light Toothbrush is great for the kids that think a couple seconds is long enough. The flashing lights are great reminders on how long to brush their teeth. Zach normally likes these types a lot, but after trying out the GUM Crayola Power Toothbrush I do not think he will go back to any other toothbrush. I actually was going to use this one for Kennedy. She is harder to to brush and could use the spinning action. Zach however grabbed it and started using it right away. He has used power toothbrushes before I did not like them. He asked how it worked and was independently using it before I knew it. He even told me he really liked it. I think it is because it just spins, and is fairly small. Other ones he has used go back and forth and are larger brushes. I think these would be great for young ones and their little mouths. So now Kennedy will be getting a power toothbrush and Zach will be getting some replacement heads for his.

Picasso Hair Feathers - CandyLand

Kennedy is a tough one to buy for, but the stocking stuffers are easier seeing many girly things she does like. She loves getting dolled up, so this is the perfect way to do it. We fill her stocking with lots of nail polish, hair accessories and jewelry. She loves being that girly girl and told she is pretty. I can not wait to try out the Picasso Hair Feathers with her. We got the CandyLand themed set as these are colors she wears often. I have seen many pictures of children with feathers in their hair from back east, but not many here in Wisconsin. So Kennedy will have to be that trend setter. I think they are really cute and the Picasso Hair Feathers look like a great way to start out. They are thinner than some full feathers that I have seen people wearing. So I think it is a good way to introduce the feathers before getting bigger. I also like the sets, where they have many colors. So you can wear one or wear all. I think they are cute.

Now for Lauren...She just turned one. You would think she would be easy to buy for. Nope I actually have not bought her one thing for her stocking. I think I am going to check out some more teethers for her. I remember Kennedy and Zach both liking the vibrating teethers, like the Learning Curve Massaging Action Teether. So I think I will try to see if I can get her one of these. Any other ideas for baby things? I just can not think what to get her.

So how about you. Are you ready for Christmas...or are you like my husband(typically) and wait until Christmas Eve to do your shopping?

Seeing lots of scrubs lately

2011-12-19T19:55:00.000-06:00

Well we are still stuck here in the hospital. We surely are hoping to get home before Christmas. I can not believe Christmas is so close. It is hard to get into the holiday spirit when you are in the hospital. One thing that does help is seeing all the holiday print scrubs. One place you can find some scrubs, including cool holiday scrub hats is at Blue Sky Scrubs. You can find these by visiting http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/.

They have scrubs for men, women, and even children. They even have the white lab coats, which I really think the attending that is on today really should wear. He really did not look like a doctor at all wearing very casual clothing. Sometimes I find it hard to take someone seriously when they are not in the proper attire. I have to say I do not run into this often here at the Children's Hospital. The nurses here are typically in their nursing scrubs uniforms or else wearing scrub pants and shirts with the Children's hospital logo.

While I am not a nurse, sometimes I wish I had some scrubs to wear. I could use the many pockets while trying to carry around all the stuff Kennedy needs. I am her personal nurse after all. I thought their prices were pretty reasonable also. Plus they look pretty comfortable. One thing I also noticed while browsing their online shop was that they even sold lanyards. They have really pretty and stylish ones that would make a great gift for that favorite nurse!

Saturday Photohunt Theme "JOY"

2011-12-16T21:46:00.000-06:00

Well what doesnt fit in better than to see the "joy" from your little one on their first birthday! Lauren just turned one yesterday. Although I did not get to be at her party (I am at the hospital with her sister Kennedy) I did get to see her earlier today....then thanks to modern technology I got to see her enjoy her cake and open a gift all through skype. Here are a few "joyous" and one not so joyous picture of her celebrating her first birthday!

saying hi to mom on skype

blowing out her candle

trying some cake

not really too happy about how messy the cake was

opening her gift

Gotta love that I got to be there...without actually being there! Here is one picture that I have from when she came to the hospital and she had a little treat. Im still waiting for my husband's phone to send the rest of the pictures to me.

Happy First Birthday Lauren!!!

2011-12-16T14:00:00.000-06:00

Twitter Backgrounds I got to see Lauren today...and she was full of giggles! I hope she has a great birthday at home tonight! She loved the balloon I picked up at the gift shop. It was nice actually seeing her today, and I cant wait to get home to celebrate! I got some pictures, but have to wait til my husbands phone actually goes ahead and send them to me.

New City

2011-12-15T19:19:00.000-06:00

Guest post written by Guy Barnes

I had only been in Memphis for a week when a local who owns a coffee shop down the street suggested I look at http://www.expertsatellite.com/direct-tv/direct-tv-memphis-tennessee.html after overhearing me on the phone. At this point I welcomed advice from any local and jotted down the information. The move had went smoothly and I had most of my ducks in a row. There was no doubt I was ready for some downtime with the remote in one hand and coffee in the other. I walked the six blocks back to my apartment and got down to business. I wasn’t in a huge hurry but was pleasantly surprised when the direct tv customer service rep told me a technician could be at my new place the very next morning. If only everything had been this easy with the move! Now it was time for a little retail shopping. One thing is for certain about Memphis, you got to own a great pair of boots! What a better way to spend the afternoon than getting acquainted with my new downtown neighborhood and new shoes on my feet.

Can't believe its been a year already

2011-12-15T12:27:00.001-06:00

I can't believe my baby is turning one already! Doesn't she know she is my last and is suppose to stay a baby for a long long time! It has been one hectic month around here with Kennedy in and out of the hospital. I have done lots of looking around online for Christmas and birthday gifts.

Having many children already, I do have so many items that it has been difficult trying to figure out what to buy Lauren for her first birthday. Baby clothing is just so adorable though, so of course I have been checking them out. Even if I do have tons of hand-me-down clothing, new stuff is always great! I love baby girls clothes....they are just so stinking cute! A year ago I just had to get something new for that adorable "coming home" photo, and now for her first birthday. I can not wait to see Lauren in her first birthday outfit and her little crown I picked up for her.

I am glad I did some online shopping early. Everything for Lauren's birthday was bought online, well except a little something I picked up at the hospital gift shop yesterday. I am hoping I get to leave the hospital some tomorrow so I can actually see Lauren on her birthday. Kennedy has spent many holidays in the hospital, but it will be hard missing a "first" holiday. On the same hand I would like Kennedy included too, so I am thinking of asking if they have some decorations, or at least buying some balloons from the gift shop and having her come to the hospital for a little family party. It wont be the same, but at least it will be something special for her. So if she ends up partying at the hospital I at least have a little gift here for her!

Happy first birthday Lauren....Mommy loves you!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-14T01:07:00.000-06:00

Why my blog has been so wordless lately....

Kennedy is back in the hospital. The movements she was having were definitely seizures. She is still having them and we are trying to figure out a different treatment plan. Today she goes for a spinal tap to send off to Mayo clinic for furthur diagnostic testing. They are testing for some other diseases that could be causing the progression of the seizures...instead of just mitochondrial disease. We will begin a treatment probably Thursday of steroids and IVIG, treatment for autoimmunine epilepsies. We wont know if that is what she has, but are going to do the treatment as she has tried so many. So we are looking at probably being in here until at least Tuesday.

It's been so crazy around here

2011-12-10T18:41:00.000-06:00

I sit here right now, with Kennedy next to me....We keep watching her because we don't know if she is having seizures or "movements". She seems alert...or at least seems to get more vocal and smiley as these movements progress. She was in the hospital for 2 weeks around Thanksgiving for these seizures/movements...and now they are getting more frequent again, but she is also getting more alert than she was when she came home. So today I am trying to figure things out some. Her meds do not seem to be lasting long enough, even though she gets a ton of them. She is waking up early and having clusters, that do not seem to really be effected by giving diastat...but do stop once I give her meds. In the morning they pretty much stop and then she falls back to sleep for a few hours. Last night and tonight she was having some arm movements off and on most of the day...but get stronger until I give her 5pm meds. Right now she is awake, but much quieter and looks kind of sleepy. The movements are mostly gone. Right now she gets medications four times a day. One seizure med she gets 2x, one she gets 4x, and two she gets 3x. I am recording some of the movements and keeping notes this weekend...then am going to call the doctor on Monday. I am wondering if changing the times of the meds might help...or adding a dose so we can spread them out. I also wonder if the newest one could be making her have more...seeing when she came home she was on a lower dose, but after we increased it she became more alert but started having arm movements. As we raised it the second time she started having the bigger movements in the morning. It sucks trying to figure out all this stuff.

On top of this, for those that arent friends with me on twitter...she also has a fractured leg. When she was having seizures a few weeks ago. We went in The week before Thanksgiving and then she was much better after a few days. So they sent her home. The next day she started back up. As the day went on they got stronger (like the morning ones now). While we were in the ER she had a large one with lots of jerks with her right arm and leg. As soon as one stopped she started crying. Which is not typical for her. Later they got them to stop by giving her a load of Dilantin. The next day she was out of it from the meds. Then the day before Thanksgiving we were going to go home again but she would cry every time we changed her. At first we thought maybe muscle spasms from the seizures, or a mood change from the new medication, which can cause irritability, headaches, etc. I just did not feel right taking her home acting the way she was. On Thanksgiving I had her sitting up in her wheelchair and noticed her knee swelling up. They did an xray and found out she had a fracture behind her knee. They said it was most likely caused by her having osteoporosis and the extra movements...so I think she probably did it while she was having the large kicks during the seizures. So now when she has the big jerks I am concerned that she could end up fracturing other areas. I also wonder how the right leg movements could effect her hip or feel while in the cast. She hasnt cried so I do not think she is currently in pain, but I hate seeing her jerking so much. I am also concerned what she is hitting when her arm goes crazy. We have to somewhat hold it at times because she has hit her headboard, or smacked herself in the head.

On top of her health....the services we have can't seem to figure out what they can and can not do. One time they can do something, the next that person was wrong and now they cant. One being the stupid school bus. We have had a short bus coming to the house for probably at least 5 years and the drivers have almost all pulled in our driveway(its big enough they can turn around in the driveway). When there is snow, since Zach has been the only one taking the bus, we just meet them on the road instead. This year we have just done this in the morning everyday, but the afternoon driver has still been pulling in. So the other day Bob had to drive the twins to school, Kennedy was having the seizures so I called the bus company to ask if he would radio the driver and ask if they would pull in the driveway and honk so I did not have to wait outside. Now all of a sudden they are not allowed to pull in our driveway. He would have to talk to the drivers because they shouldnt, even though a different year I spoke to him about the driver pulling in and he never said that. So thanks for nothing and make up your freaking mind. If you dont allow them to do it, then you would think the at least 5 drivers we have had would know not to do this????