Rewarding Experience

Have you ever heard of Sheltering Wings? It is a shelter that provides emergency housing for women and children suffering from any form of domestic abuse. They help to build stable and independent lives through essential programs offered in a supportive and Christ-centered environment.
My church has been supporting them for years and I've given to the clothes drives, etc. But recently God put it on my heart to use my talent for photography for His purpose and I thought of them. I got in contact with Sheltering Wings awhile back and arranged to spend a day at the park taking pictures.
I spent nearly eight hours at the park that day. The weather was beautiful, thank you God! I was blessed to have another photographer join me and together we met some very special women and their families.
I did not ask alot of questions because I know some of their situations are particularly sensitive, but in the short time we spent together I felt much hope and appreciation. I feel honored to have been able to give them this small gift.
I would like to ask that you take a look at Sheltering Wings website and consider getting involved in this vital ministry by supporting them. It might be a gift of supplies or food or clothing. It might be your time volunteering at the shelter. Organize a fundraiser at your church or organization. The possibilities are endless. Maybe you do not have the time but you do have money. Please pray and consider in what way you might be able to help.

Bad Mommy...

My son is exhausting me. He is in the "why" phase and literally questions EVERYthing I say. But that isn't the primary frustration. Nate is about to turn four years old and he is very, very resistant to potty training. We have tried lots of methods of motivation: charts, treats, stickers, prizes... the list goes on. We have seen minimal progress over time.
I have only tried underwear once or twice because why give myself the extra work of having to clean them out when he clearly has no interest in keeping them clean?He still throws fits when told to go potty on the toilet. He still refuses to even tell me after he's pooped in his diaper or pull-up. He is very intelligent and we have every reason believe that he is fully capable of being potty trained.
I've resorted to (somewhat) desperate measures. When he was little Nate had a reaction to anything red: tomato sauce, strawberries, watermelon, etc. He would get serious diaper rashes. Some were pretty ugly. So we proceeded to avoid giving him anything red to avoid the skin irritations that followed. But no more. I am no longer protecting his behind. He is eating spaghetti sauce, strawberries... all the things that we used to keep from him he is now eating. I am hoping that the bottom discomfort that follows will help motivate him to do his business where it belongs. Wish me luck. Or just pray for me because I'm sick and tired of changing a kid's diaper who knows better but is too lazy to actually do anything about it.

Artscow!!

Ok, so I've blogged about this before but it bears repeating! Artscow.com has an even better promotion going on now than they did when I joined! 1200 Free Prints for joining!! Ah! Plus 3 8x8 photo books! Seriously. I have been using them for over a year now and have been very happy with the quality of the prints and other photo products that I have bought. And when your free prints run out their prices are really great too. Check them out HERE. Don't forget to check out other Works For Me Wednesday posts too!!

Father's Day Crafting

Here are the cards that I made to match the gifts for my DH and both our dads. Nothin' too fancy... but they're guys... its not like they want fancy anyway. Check out other Father's Day crafts at Sunday Scrappin'.

Love Quotes

I love my husband. Sometimes its hard to find words to describe it. So if you ever need help finding the words here are a few suggestions. ;-)

"Love, like a river, will cut a new path whenever it meets an obstacle." -Crystal Middlemas

"How blessed I am that I can walk beside you, lean upon you, and live within the warmth of your love." -Roy Lessin

"Love is like a mountain, hard to climb, but once you get to the top the view is beautiful." -Daniel Monroe Tuttle

"Love is friendship set on fire." -Jeremy Taylor

"Love is a decision, not an emotion or feeling, that if made from the heart will outlast anything..." -Raul and Samantha Juarez

"Love is the most abiding power of the world". -Martin Luther King

"Love does not dominate; it cultivates". -Goethe

"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." -Amy Carmichael

"Life is a journey from one point to another. You know where you will end up, but you don't know what route will get you there." -Jennifer Robinson

"The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or rather loved in spite of ourselves". -Victor Hugo

"Only love lets us see normal things in an extraordinary way." -Anonymous

"A house is made with walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you want more Love Quotes check out The Intimate Couple.

Sunday Scrappin' Page of the Week

I didn't get around to doing much scrapbooking this week. Once Lehi's Challenge was over (I didn't win... but that is ok because Toni did and totally deserved it!) I fizzled out. I'm running out of photos that I want to scrap. I'm going to have to put in an order soon. Anyway, I did get this page done of some of the many pictures of us at the museum.
Check out other crafters' work at Sunday Scrappin'.

What's New...

So last Friday I took Joe to IU School of Optometry to get his vision checked (again). We saw an intern and a supervising doctor. They did similar things as last year (showing Joe pictures to see if he looks in the correct direction, looking in his eyes with their little lights, dilating his eyes and checking his true prescription, etc) all with the same result. Joe's eyes are working just fine, slightly farsighted but that is totally normal for his age. They can find no reason for his lack of eye contact. So, while its good to know his vision is good, but its not real helpful at this point.
Joe had blood drawn in January for some genetic tests. We were told they were extensive tests that would take awhile. So after awhile I called and tried to get the results. No one got back with me. So I called again awhile later. They said the doctor was on vacation and that he'd look over the results when he got back. No one got back with me. I tried again last week and the girl I talked to said there was no record of me ever calling before. She said she'd email the results to the genetic neurologist we had seen for him to interpret and then she'd get back with me.
Well, she did get back with me on Monday. Only not with test results. She said that there was no record of the tests ever being done. She said we'd have to come in and get his blood drawn again and have it sent away to do the tests. No apology. No nothing. Just matter of fact. I was very unhappy to hear that. Isaac called Clarian West where we had the blood drawn and checked their records (which is connected to Riley and they have access to). They did a few tests in house but did not even draw the blood that was supposed to be sent to a special lab for testing. Then he called Riley again. They said that on Friday the doctor would discuss the results of the tests that were done, and we'd have blood drawn then for the other tests.
So... we just got back from our appointment with the genetic neurologist. Basically there is no news. Just more tests that are normal and got blood drawn for the tests that were supposed to have been done already. I felt a little better about the blood test mix-up after the doctor was apologetic, even a little embarrassed by the whole thing and double checked the new test orders to make sure the were getting done correctly this time. We are testing for Angelman Syndrome. Seizures seem to be a big sign/symptom of Angelman's and Joe has never had any. The doctor does not think Joe has traditional Angelman's but might have an atypical kind. There is no cure for this. But we will just have to wait and see. Beyond these tests he said further (and probably invasive) testing would probably be more for our benefit than for Joe's because if it is something like a mitochondrial disease or something there may be no cure or even treatment.
I've been uncharacteristically calm following this visit to Riley. I'm usually a mess after these kinds of doctor's appointments. I guess I got it all out of my system before the appointment this time. ;-) That and I had a couple of good friends praying for us. Thank you all for your continued prayers concerning Joe.

7%

I got this as a forward and thought it was worth sharing.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry

9 Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come..

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'.

I'm in the 7%

Remember that I will always share my spoon with you !

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves

Check it out!

My friend, Jess and my sis, Lauren recently got an apartment together with another friend. I'm a little jealous because part of me misses living with girls since I grew up with three sisters and lived with lots of roommates in college. But that is beside the point. They are two beautiful women who are currently between relationships. So just for fun they have decided to do an experiment and blog about it. If you are interested in checking it out CLICK HERE. They are new bloggers so please give them some comment love!

New Moon Trailer!!

I can't wait for New Moon to come out this November! Me and my other Twilight friends were all pretty excited to see the new teaser trailer. Check it out!

The Things They Say!!

The other night my family was over and we were all just hanging out and talking. My sister was talking about her husband's job and the traveling he has been doing and somehow said: "Miami sucks."
Of course Nate would pick up on that!! Only he said: "My Yummy Socks!!"
So I tried to hold back my surprised laugh, as I was a little exasperated at my sister for saying the "s" word in front of him so I gave her a little slap on the leg.
Nate of course mimicked that too, proceeding to smack my sister's leg also!
It was all I could do to hold back my own embarrassed laughter and explain to Nate that Auntie should not have said what she did and I should not have hit her as I did and neither should he. The rest of the family continued to get a little kick out of the whole situation. Sigh... isn't that special?

Baseball Deal!

My bargain buddy Lehi shared a deal with me that I had to share! Check it more details HERE!

The Cincinnati Reds are pleased to offer a valuable package for families and fans alike – back again in 2009: the Meijer 4 for $54. Fans can purchase four View Level tickets, four regular hot dogs and four 24-oz. soft drinks, all for just $54.

Great Reds baseball, great value and great fun – all in one convenient package!

Available for all Monday-Thursday games only at reds.com, the Reds ticket windows and ticket kiosks at Great American Ball Park, Greater Cincinnati Meijer stores, and by calling (513) 381-REDS or (877) 647-REDS. Tickets must be purchased in increments of four (4).

Coming Up...

Joe has been making small improvements in therapy. He is getting better at finger feeding himself (very exciting for mommy!). He is babbling more and he is making choices between 2-3 pictures. He is continuing to gain interest in people and things and interacting more. Joe is experiencing separation anxiety sometimes, which for him is a good sign that he is aware of us and when we come and go.

I have had a difficult time getting anyone from Riley to get back with me to let us know what the results of the last bunch of Joe's blood tests (taken months ago), but hope to hear something soon (since I made another nagging phone call today). We have a vision test at IU this Friday and another appointment with the genetic neurologist at Riley next week.

I've been in a funk lately and have found myself despairing over Joe's as yet un-named condition, or whatever you want to call it. I thought it would get easier as time went on, but I still find it difficult to talk about it. I feel like I am in limbo sometimes. Its hard for me to be around "normal" people and its just as hard for me to be around the "handicapped". I keep finding myself comparing Joe to other kids. I know I shouldn't but I cannot seem to help it. I am constantly wondering and worrying. His future, our future is so uncertain and that is still so overwhelming to me sometimes. I honestly do not really have high hopes for getting answers anymore, certainly not any kind of a "cure". I feel like I am just going through the motions, I do not expect to find out anything new. I think we'll get told to keep doing therapy and wait and we will just have to wait and see what he what it is that God has in store for our future.
As always your prayers are appreciated.

Lehi's Layout Challenge

My scrappin' pal Lehi put us all up to a layout challenge! She chose a layout from this blog and a bunch of us are submitting pages to see which one Lehi likes best! Here are the two pages I did!

Maybe our Sunday Scrappers could do a layout challenge sometime! That'd be fun!