Catch Up

As always, a little behind, but I am very excited to get to blogging on my brand new computer! I've done some updating on the kids' pages and there's a new page devoted to our life with diabetes and the constant state of confusion surrounding raising a child with special needs. I am keeping the subject, for the most part, as a separate page because I don't always like talking about it, but writing does sometimes seem to help. Plus,this way you can click on it from time to time or ignore it completely.


We are having a good summer, but it is going by too quickly. I'm sure that Ashton is excited to be getting back at school, but I could use another month. Of course, if I was given another month, I would probably be saying that I could use another month. Oh well. Here are some pictures from our week in Oscoda.

Summer Vacation

Over the week of July Fourth, we headed out to Oscoda as we usually do. We couldn't stay at the place we usually stay and had to rent somewhere different this year, and though we were nervous about it, we were ready for the adventure. However, the place was so filthy that mom and I stayed up until 1 a.m. trying to make the place habitable for just one week (we would have left when we first got there except that it was way too late and the children were too tired to be dragged around).

We couldn't get the place clean and mom and I were such wrecks the next day that we packed up all of our stuff and just drove down the main strip hoping to find a vacancy. We found a great place that was super clean and right on the beach!!! We debated just heading home because this place was more expensive than the spider-fest we had just left, but my mom said it was worth it to stay when the boys let out huge yells of happy when they found out that we were surrounded by sand and super close to the water.

We have been vacationing in Oscoda for the last 4 years. Every year we take pictures of the kids (Trenton, too) in front of the Oscoda sign.

This picture is funny because it's true. Cell reception is really hard to come by in Oscoda. But if you stood really still on the balcony you could sometimes make a call. So Ashton had to call someone (Connor, I think), so he grabbed the Buzz Lightyear cell and stepped out onto the balcony. It looked so real it was funny.

Every night the boys fell asleep together. They would end up in the craziest positions. See that hand under Trent's chin? It's Ashton's.

This guy was ultra cool. It was really windy the week we were vacationing and this guy had this huge kite-like contraption that he held onto and the kite pulled him through the water while he was strapped on something that looked similar to a snow board. I have no idea what this is called. He did all kinds of flips and stuff- he was so awesome. My mom and I are going to start training so that we can do this next year. However, we have yet to begin training.

When we go on summer vacation it is usually just me, my mom, and her grandchildren for the week. Chadd and my dad come up on the weekend. When they showed up that Friday, we went straight to lunch in hopes of getting through town before the 4th of July parade started. We beat the parade on the way there, but got stuck behind it going back to the condo. The cool part was that we were the first car behind the parade. That guy in the orange vest was our personal escort. The kids loved it because they waved to the crowd and the crowed waved and cheered back. It was worth the long, slow drive through town because the kids really thought we were part of the parade.

Here are the children waving to their fans.

That night, the last night of our vacation, Chadd and my dad took the kids down to the beach and my mom and I finally had some quiet! But then they were all being so cute that I had to go down there to take pictures. Our condo was closest to the beach and the view was awesome. The fireworks over the water were great and it was the first year that all of the kids enjoyed them. But Lorelei was way over tired and she just wanted her papa.

Our vacation started out pretty rocky but it ended up being really nice. We're thinking that maybe we should start taking the kids to vacation other places every year, but the idea of staying in another mystery place is a bit discouraging. We shall see.

Home security

Here are some statistics according to the Brinks Home Security website:

• The FBI reports a burglary occurs every 14 seconds.
• A home without a security system is 2-3 times more likely to be burglarized.
• 90% of police believe home monitoring alarms help deter burglary attempts.
• Over 2 million home invasions occurred in 2006.
• 63% of residential burglaries in 2006 took place during the day.
  

These statistics can be quite intimidating. Would you feel more comfortable protecting your loved ones with a home security system? Would you like the ease of knowing that your belongings are safe while you are away from your home? Would you like knowing that a home security system could alert the police to possible criminal activity so that the bad guys can be captured and thrown into the county jail?

Well, that might be too bad, because many home security systems are way too expensive to even consider. Plus, I watch TV. I know that there are times when the inept husband has snuck downstairs for a midnight snack only to trip the alarm and, in his clumsiness, cannot remember the procedure or code to quiet the freakishly loud alarm, thus waking the entire household and some nosy neighbors.

That is why I came up with an alternative to an electronic home security system: I hired Super Heroes.

Batman, Spider man, Spider girl, and Superman have formed a home security business that is safe, reliable and affordable. They have great moves to thwart any bad buys (check out the action shots below), they are incredibly reliable since Spider girl and Superman have taken up residence here, and Batman and Spider man are based right next door. And you can't beat their prices! A box of macaroni and cheese, a movie for Spidey and Supe, and a nap for Bats and Little Spidey.

They are a fierce, fearless, phenomenal force of power! Put the picture of the four of them at you front door and bad guys everywhere will steer clear! Call today to book you super hero home security system.*

*They need to check with their moms before they commit to an event. They are not allowed to stay in the home without adult supervision. They do not perform at parties. You must provide popcorn and Capri Sun Roaring Waters with the aforementioned movie.

Get off my back

Ok, here is the updated blog. I know that it has been a while, but it is now back with a vengence. I mentioned before that I don't know how often I will post, but I will try to block out some time. Maybe I will do that whole TV as babysitter thing for Ashton so that he will stop talking long enough to write. Seriously, he talks nonstop and it is way too hard for me to type while his voice is competing with the voices in my head.

Anyway, Jillian has offered to watch my kids so that I can keep this thing updated. I know that she commented in jest, but I am seriously going to hold her to it. Thanks, BFF!!!

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.

This is my stupid new blog.