did you know I...

Copy the entire list and bold the ones you've done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars (for part of a night)
3. Played in a band (does Rockband count?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a Meteor Shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a Mountain (almost to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a Lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (when I was young)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (does kickball count?)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (family)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (when I 8)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (I even hid friends in my trunk...what was wrong with me)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (it's on my list of things to do before I die)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square (want to someday)
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (almost....when I was training for my last marathon)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (something I want to do)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox (1 singel chickenpox..does that count?)
89. Saved someone’s life (I've had to call 911,numerous of times for Dylan, does that count)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

I copied this from Christine's blog. Thought is was worth doing... looking forward to seeing in on your blogs:)

what are you doing Thursday morning!!!

A tradition in our family is to participate in the race. I will be running the 5k. It will be fun to participate again this year!!! I hope to improve my PR. That means my personal record. rain or shine we'll be there:) Can't wait!

twilight!

Loved it! enough said:)

It was so much fun going with friends to see the movie. After the movie we went to The Cheesecake Factory. It was Strawberrylicious!!!! that's for you Michelle:) for the rest of the world that has now idea what the heck I'm talking about you just had to be there. Kalen & I are doing to go see it soon. Yes...my husband said he would go see it with me, even though he didn't read the books. Now we need to find a sitter:) Can't wait to see if a second time... any other takers???

Spotlight Continues

So I slacked on honoring my "friend of the week". It's been on my mind for weeks, and finally have had the time to sit down and do it. So the friend I am choosing to honor this week is.......Stacy Justinich. I have to say which Stacy it is, because for some reason that is the #1 name amongst my friends.
Stacy graduated recently from school. I'm so proud that she was able to finish her goal while living a life that she never thought she would have. Having a child with special needs is very time consuming, and full of ups, downs, and everything in between. Congrats again Stacy! Here she is:

So here's our story.... Stacy was "referred" to me from the teacher Dylan had in the infant program he was in. His teacher asked that I call this mom that was "new" to the program. So we finally were able to touch base one day and spent awhile on the phone one Saturday. During that phone call we found out that we both scrapbooked, had sold the same scrapbooking product, and that our brothers had played soccer together on a team my dad coached. Small world. Never in a million years did I think someone from my past would be raising a child with special needs that knew of me back when I was in junior high. Crazy huh??? Well, our friendship has blossomed during the past 3 years. Her son Evan, was born in October, and as most of you know that is usually when Dylan begins to have more problems that normal, so for the past 3 years we haven't been able to attend her son's b-day party. One year I even responded to the evite that we would be there as long as we weren't in the hospital and guess where we were the day of the party. yup, the hospital for 3 days. I hope that one day we will be able to attend Evan's party. It's one of my goals. It might sound silly, but being able to be there for my friends on their children's birthdays are very important to me. I know for me that every year when it's time for Dylan's birthday it is an extremely challenging time and it helps to be surrounded by family and friends to help us during that time. It's a very hard reminder that another year has gone by and milestones and goals we hoped to achieve may have not been achieved. It's extremely difficult. Stacy brought my dinner when day just because she thought I needed help. What a great friend:) I'm so glad that I called her so many years ago. I don't know how I would have made it through some days the past few years with out her!!!

So here's my reasons why I hold Stacy close to my heart:

1. She listens endlessly to my rants and raves about whatever is going on in my family's life
2. motivates me to scrapbook
3. has offered numerous times to come sit with Dylan and/or Brianna so I can go to the store
4. wants to participate in a book club w/me
5. shares her beliefs with me
6. scrapbooked together (we need to do that again)
7. is extremely thoughtful
8. is non-judgemental:)
9. brought me this tool thingy to get rid of dry skin on my feet, just because she knew I was annoyed with my feet. (I know more than you wanted to know)
10. is a great mom and advocate for her kids
11. is extremely kind to others, even when they aren't to her. (I'm working on being more like her)
12. I have a million more reasons but need to go feed my family dinner.

check back for the next spotlight......

Can't wait!!!!

Scroll to pause music on our blog:)

a few things to catch up on

So a few of you voted on our poll. I thought it was interesting that 66% of those that voted look at blogs and don't leave comments. I'm one of those people sometimes:)

Anyhoo..... So far today I've been able to think clearly. Dylan has been in a SUPER GREAT mood. NO screaming. We changed his feeding tube formula last night per our request to Dylan's GI doctor. I'm so glad that I go to a special needs mom's group. I've learned so much from so many!!! It probably wouldn't have crossed our minds that the formula could be the problem of Dylan's current screaming fits. We still are not completely sure, but I will take peace and quiet so I can THINK, pay bills, blog, talk on the phone, and just sit for the time being.

I want to publicly thank my mom for coming and helping with the kids, the past few days every now and then. I was able to go to the store, take Brianna to school, carry a conversation without criticism and think. MOMS are great!! My mom is the greatest. Having a child with special needs, hasn't only affected our immediate family but has branched out to our extended family as well. I've had to call my mom and dad(can't forget about him too) at the last minute to help us out. My dad has offered on his own to take Brianna to school sometimes. That has saved me(and my back)loading Dylan and his wheelchair 4 times. My dad also will come and just take Brianna to the park or for walks. DADS are fantastic! Plus he'll just go on an outing at the last minute with me when I don't want to go somewhere by myself. Last night we went to Borders so I could stock up on some books. He didn't need anything but he went anyways. How great is that. I am so grateful for my parents. They have helped us so many times and in so many different ways. Kalen & I appreciate all the help they provide our family. We are deeply grateful!!!

With the upcoming holiday, Thanksgiving, I am trying to think of things I am thankful for everyday. We have so much to be grateful for. Maybe next week, Kalen & I will do a post for everything we are thankful for. Onto the next post.....

Can you believe this?????

AMONGST EVERYTHING THAT OUR FAMILY HAS TO DEAL WITH, IT'S ALL THE STUPID CRAP THAT OTHERS DO OR DON'T DO. THERE IS CONSTANT FOLLOW UP WITH AGENCIES TO SEE WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG TO GET EQUIPMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR TONS OF THINGS DYLAN NEEDS AND SOME HAVE TAKEN ALMOST A YEAR TO HEAR BACK. AND THAT'S WITH ME FOLLOWING UP EVERY WEEK. THE SQUEAKY WHEEL RIGHT???? WELL IT DOESN'T WORK.

SO I HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE NURSE THAT WE HAD. HAD!!!! SHE IS AN IDIOT!!! BELOW YOU WILL FIND OUR EMAILS.

my email:
"Hi,

I wanted to check in with you and see what happened. I was under the impression that you would be coming on tuesdays and thursdays. You did not come today, Tuesday, November 11th. You said in a past email that you would let me know what days you wouldn't be coming due to the upcoming holidays and have yet to hear back from you. I had plans today that really needed to be done. Will you be coming on Thursday??? If not please let me know so I can make other arrangements for Dylan, since Brianna has a field trip at school.

Francesca
WITH OUR PHONE NUMBER SINCE SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T HAVE IT......"


Here is her response that I just today at 2:28pm.
"Hello Francesca,

I'm sorry that you did not get my email. I understand how frustrated you must have been. I will try to resend it. Just to make sure you get the information .... I will not be able to stay on the case because I need medical and I can't afford to pay for it. The only way to get it is to work for a company. I am not happy about having to make this choice but medical is very expensive."

I NEVER RECEIVED THE EMAIL FROM THIS LADY THAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! I AM IN TEARS. WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE??

what is wrong with people

I don't get it. When a nurse is scheduled to work, then she needs to show up. Well guess who didn't today. I understand that it's Veteran's Day, but an email or phone call would have been nice to let me know that she wasn't coming today. I HAVE to go to the grocery store, and I can't do that pushing a wheelchair and shopping cart. Can you imagine seeing that??? we are now on the hunt for a new nurse. What's happened to people and ethics. Or even keeping a verbal or written agreement. I don't understand this....at all. Not sure if today will be better than yesterday or not. Kalen and I were talking last night, and we both agreed that at least we have each other and our kids. That makes life worth it!!!

Couple of bad days

To say the least, things have been pretty eventful at our house. Dylan had been having tons of seizures lately. Some might be saying, what's the big deal. Well let me fill you in on the details. Seizures suck. They mess up everything, from eating, sleeping, emotional and mental well-being for both Dylan and us. His neurologist has been out of town, so we have to wait until she gets back to "adjust" his meds (again???) On Friday, I was getting stuff out of my closet and there was a musty smell.... so are you asking yourself was their carpet wet. Well no, but we can't figure out why the heck the carpet stinks, so my clothes and shoes are spread out between Dylan & Brianna's rooms. Friday night, Dylan was puking and had to sleep in our bed. Try sleeping with someone who is completely rigid in their sleep. I got very little sleep. On Saturday, I went scrapbooking with a dear friend. Thanks Judy!!! i got to escape from our "reality" for a few hours. Then when I got home I was really sick. Dylan and I have been sick...... When will it pass?

Today is a pretty "bad" day. we haven't been very productive, since I'm sick. I've been peeling paint in the hall bath in an attempt to finish that project. it's only taken 2 months. hopefully one of these days it will be done.

we still aren't' sure what is going on with my closet. I've been also busy today planning the cookie swap I do every year. i was pleasantly surprised when I got a phone call from someone asking me if they could bring me dayquil. That was a nice surprise. It reinforced me to think that there are actually people that care about us and want to help us. We usually feel pretty isolated. It's not as easy for us to go to events without a lot of notice. We can't just call anyone to watch the kids, especially Dylan. Our nurse already cancelled on us 1 day last week, so you can see how difficult it is to do things. We don't want to be viewed as "party poopers", but our reality is just different from the typical person that doesn't have a special needs child. when you don't have a special needs child you can pretty much call anyone you want to watch your kids. I can't call the local teenager, because I honestly don't know how they would handle Dylan having a seizure, changing diapers on a 5 year old, giving meds in a feeding tube, just dealing with a feeding tube, Dylan's yodeling, Brianna's fit about Dylan being loud, and a million other things that goes along with watching our kids. anyhow..... I am grateful for my friends that actually stop and think what we might be feeling, and make a sincere effort to "walk in our shoes."

All I hope is that tomorrow will be a better day!!!

what a sight to see

Remember to scroll down to bottom of page and pause the music.

undecided

So we have to make one last effort to plead with you "undecided" voters, to please vote YES on 8. It's not about being discriminatory, but values. Our family believes that marriage is only between a man and a woman. We already know that we will be having to answer questions from our children as to why a child might have two "mommies" or "daddies". We are already not looking forward to that day. We do not "discriminate" against anyone. We have love ones that have chosen the"gay" lifestyle. We don't love them any less than our other relatives. Our country was formed under the inspiration of many great men. I believe that GOD helped with the forming of our country. Our family believes in THE HOLY BIBLE, and it does not support marriage between two women or two men. If PROP 8 does not pass then the government will be forcing our family and future generations to accept something that is so very different, then what our family believes and agrees with. It saddens us that we have been called a "haters". We are standing up for what we believe and will always believe. We could go on all day, but have a family to tend to. Stand up for what you believe and if you are on the fence, then I ask you to please remember to vote YES ON 8!!!!

sorry mom:)

Against my mom's concerns, worrying that someone is going to come "gets us", Kalen & I have decided to stay a "public" blog, so the world can see what our crazy life is like. Thanks for all the responses we got from our avid readers. I didn't realize how many of you actually read our blog. Some I wasn't even aware about. I'm glad to know that there are readers out there who care about us. I know for us, our blog is to keep track of our memories and to use as a "diary". Enjoy the upcoming craziness and memories:) Remember to get out and VOTE on Tuesday, November 4th!