Who's the Boss?

Ashton loves to take a bath, but dislikes having his hair washed. So unless he is unusually filthy, I only wash his hair every-other bath. Any time that I tell him that it's time for a bath, the first thing he says is, "but no hair?" Tonight I got to leave the house (by myself!) and attend a diabetes related lecture (it was fantastic!). My mom was watching the kids and Chadd was at football practice and going to beat me home, so I left him a message that Ashton needed a bath. This is the note that my mom left me regarding the conversation she had with my son:

Ashton wanted me to tell his dad "no hair." I said, "No, I can't tell your dad that." He wanted to know why. I said, "Because daddy is the boss of you." Ashton said, "No, mommy is the boss of me."

Damn straight.

JDRF- One Final Note

A couple people have asked me about JDRF donations, so just to let anyone who is interested know, I have until October 22 to turn in my portion of collected donations. It's very easy to use the online site, or you can send anything straight to my home and I will send it on from here. Thanks.

Ann Arbor

It was game day in Ann Arbor, so we headed into town to check out the action. Chadd wanted to take me and the kids to a couple of his favorite places. I wanted to buy a pair of shoes. We walked for a bit around campus and Chadd and Ashton bought matching U of M hats. We then ate at Chadd’s favorite burger joint, Blimpy Burger. I wasn’t expecting to be too impressed. I love little diners, greasy-spoons, and the such, but a dive that specializes in burgers didn’t sound too pleasant for a girl who hasn’t touched beef in over half her life. I was so excited to find that they served veggie burgers and that it was the best damn veggie burger that I have ever had! I couldn’t eat the whole thing, but Lorelei finished it off for me,grilled onions, pickle and all. Ashton loved his burger and we left full and happy. As we walked back to the car we could hear the roar of the game from The Big House. I didn’t buy a pair of shoes, but Ashton did get to use a parking meter for the first time.

Fighting and Having Fun

Yesterday was our Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk for a Cure. We have to get up and head to Ann Arbor early because registration starts at 8:30. Then we head out for some prewalk fun. Unfortuately the kids and I were sick, so we skipped on the bounce house, the rock climbing wall, dancing, and some kind of clown balloon performance (if you know how I feel about clowns, you understand that I was not disappointed to miss that one). But we did eat some breakfast and Ashton and Lorelei got their sweet little faces painted up for the walk. We had a really great time and we all came home ready for naps. Thank you to all of you who donate, and who keep us in your thoughts, and for just listening to us when we are frustrated and just need an ear. Your support is appreciated as we continue to fight for a cure.










After bagels (for me, Chadd, and Lorelei), string cheese (for Ashton), and some low-carb juice, we're ready to go!

Ashton wanted some football related art, while Lorelei choose something simple (actually, I didn't really expect her to sit still while a stranger drew on her face but she seemed to like it.)

Anyway, it's an extremely emotional day and I seem to cry a lot while we're there, but it's just so amazing to me when I see all the people that show up to support not only their loved ones, but also those that they have never met. Even if it's only once a year, it's nice to feel like we are part of a larger community and that this is not something that we are alone in. But the event is actually packed with a lot of fun and that is something to look forward to next year as well.

The Cure for Migraines

Ok, I have a serious headache right now, but I just had to make note of this. We arrived back from our JDRF walk and I went to bed with a migraine. I still woke up with a headache, but enough of it had eased up so I could get downstairs for a Coke. Ashton asked, "Mommy, why are you so sad?" and I told him that I had a really bad headache. He said, "I wish I had something to help you, but I don't." Then his face lit up with a big smile and he said, "I do have something to give you that will help, a hug!" He gave me the biggest hug ever and then kissed me on the nose. I think it did help.

Patience

OK, Some of you are already a little too anxious about wanting updates and pics of the kids. I will get to it- I promise. Because of my computer Super Hero, Mark T., I am able to do a little more with pictures and whatnot. (Personal note to Mark: I would stay away from the tights, but a cape would not be inappropriate.)

For now, just want to let you know that I am not doing a formal solicitation for JDRF donations this year. But if you want to donate, or just want to check up on what been going on with Ashton's life with diabetes (there is some potentially cool stuff that may enter our near future), follow the JDRF link and look up my page (click on donate[inthe middle column] and enter my name under Support A Walker). You do not have to donate to see the page.

My Four-legged Kids

This is the first of my crazy dogs. His name is Tucker and he is a Bichon Frise. I think that's French for "pain in the ass." He has terrible allergies, whines incessantly, has persistent bad breath that requires frequent teeth brushing (which he loves, of course), barks at random things, and needs constant attention. We are also convinced that he suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. And those are his good qualities.

Oh, I make fun, but I love him very much. He is actually quite affectionate, he loves to just be near a warm body to get his belly rubbed. He is big for a Bichon, weighing in at 35 pounds. He doesn't know that he is that big and is under the belief that he is still a lap dog. I always think that he is quite dumb, but that just may be an act. He lets my daughter (ten months old to date) lean on him and pull on his ears and mouth with nary a complaint. He is my first baby and I love his guts.

On to the second crazy dog. This is Angel. We adopted Angel after her previous owner hit her with with a car and decided that she didn't want the eight month old pup anymore. After many surgeries and a lot of patience, she will probably outlive us all.

Her interests include ripping her brother's babies to shreds (especially if there is a squeaker inside), lounging in the sun, and giving kisses (watch out, she likes to give them French style). She hates to be wet and she would rather pee on the bathroom floor and face the consequences rather than put her dainty little toes on rain soaked grass. She is the sweetest dog and very smart. She has a wonderful mothering instinct and often runs to the kids if they are hurt or crying. Angel is a Rat Terrier and this breed is yet to be acknowledged by the AKC. I don't understand why, I mean look at her- she's gorgeous!

These are the only dogs my family has. We have had dog visitors while their parents vacationed, we have had stray dogs stay while we found their families, and we have fostered an animal here and there too. But as far as our children (furry or not) my rule is two at a time. No more dogs or kids than you have arms. You can meet my non-furry kids next time.

So after three years of having this blog (I was required to create it for a school assignment), I am actually going to do something with it. I don't know what I will do with it, but I will do something. But not today.