Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Wordless Wednesday-Our Buddy



This is our Buddy. Original name, I know but our daughter picked his name. And it fits. He's our Buddy. He waits every morning with kids while they're waiting for the schoolbus. (I must have taken this picture after they left) He looks sad. :(

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Where does the time go?

O My ... I don't know where the time has gone. I can't believe that it is allready Tuesday this week. It seems like I'm doing everything and can't get anything done. I'm wondering how many of you have this feeling? Or is it just me? I've been doing this and that and this and whatever...
Today the kiddos had a half day of school and the day has just flown by. I'm finally getting time to sit down and read all of the wonderful sites and friends I follow and it will be tomorrow allready. I hope I can get more accomplished then. I'm hoping to get back into my exercise routine and get some other things done around the house. Of course, I will be checking out all the good stuff going on around the blogsphere and maybe I'll check out a new site and maybe I will win a cool prize in one of the giveaways I enter.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Fitness Friday


It's Friday Again. Wow this week went by so fast. I started out so good this week on Monday and then Tuesday started the busy path. I didn't really manage to do my regular rountine on the wiifit but I still managed to lose 1 pound. I know its not much and hopefully it will stay off. I need to get more motivated. I need to lose 4 more pounds for my goal and then I will get some much needed clothes. And I need them bad, none of my jeans, or fall/winter clothes fit. I know that's a Good Thing.
I am pretty happy but need to try alittle more to keep doing my exercises and staying fit. Especially when I'm starting to have alot going on, I need to make the time. I am going to try harder.
Please visit my wii family and follow our success, hopefully we will have some good news to share.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

A Thousand Words Thursday

Cheaper Than Therapy

Please Support Kennedy...This Week is National Mitochondrial Disease Awareness 9/20-9/26/09

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Light A Light For Kennedy on 9/23

Light A Light for Mito...Light A Light For Kennedy...


Light a light for Kennedy!

On Wednesday, September 23rd, at 10:00 a.m. internationally, families and friends are encouraged to "Light a Light for Mito” in honor of all who are afflicted by Mito and in memory of the babies, children and adults who have lost their battle with mitochondrial disease.

***This picture is of my neice Kennedy.*** She has Mitochondrial Encenphalomyopathy. This causes her to have many medical problems. Please join in this event and keep her and the others affected by mito in your prayers.
To find out more about Kennedy please visit my sister's website:The Princess & The Monkey

Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week 9/20-9/26

Do you know what Mitochondrial Disease is? So many of us have never even heard of Mitochondrial Disease. I hadn't until a few years ago when we found out that my neice has this. This is an uncureable disease that is affecting our children by becoming severly ill and causing so many heartaches. This is a disease that we need to spread awareness on Right Now. We need to find a cure Soon for this disease - To help save the lives of our babies and children.

This is information provided from United Mitochodrial Disease Foundation

About Mitochondrial Disease:

Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail, and the life of the person in whom this is happening is severely compromised. The disease primarily affects children, but adult onset is becoming more and more common.

Diseases of the mitochondria appear to cause the most damage to cells of the brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney and the endocrine and respiratory systems.

Depending on which cells are affected, symptoms may include loss of motor control, muscle weakness and pain, gastro-intestinal disorders and swallowing difficulties, poor growth, cardiac disease, liver disease, diabetes, respiratory complications, seizures, visual/hearing problems, lactic acidosis, developmental delays and susceptibility to infection.

WHY IS RESEARCH SO CRITICAL?

There are no known treatments or cures for mitochondrial disease.

Mitochondria may play a far greater role in human health than scientists and doctors have realized. Any health concern that is an energy problem could be related to the mitochondria.

Further research into the mitochondrion and primary mitochondrial diseases (those due to genetic defect) would benefit millions of people. It would offer hope to the thousands suffering from this debilitating and often fatal disease and provide a broad range of new therapeutic approaches for attempting to treat these other very common and incapacitating illnesses and conditions.

MITOCHONDRIAL DEFECTS ARE A CENTRAL FACTOR IN HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASE.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is at the core of a surprising range of very common illnesses and conditions, and represents a promising new avenue for their treatment. As the mitochondria are responsible for producing energy, any illness that has an energy problem could be related to the mitochondria. Diseases in which mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated include:

• Alzheimer’s Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), mental retardation, deafness and blindness, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Over 50 million people in the US suffer from these chronic degenerative disorders. While it cannot yet be said that mitochondrial defects cause these problems, it is clear that mitochondria are involved because their function is measurably disturbed.

• Even autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Sjogrens syndrome, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis appear to have a mitochondrial basis to illness.

• Mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with a wide range of solid tumors, proposed to be central to the aging process, and found to be a common factor in the toxicity of a variety of physical and chemical agents.

Now that you have read this information...You know why we need to help in this awareness campaign. Please join us today and Light the Light for Mito...Light the Light for Kennedy...Light the Light for all the other sufferers...Light the Light for those that have been taken away from us who suffered from this disease....
Please keep Kennedy and the others in your prayers today and always.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Click for a Cause



Please let out... It's so easy .... Just "CLICK"

Are Your children eating Fruits and Veggies ?

This is quite a topic. I know that our family is trying to eat healthier as most families are trying to do more of these days. I'm pretty lucky to say that my kiddos like to eat fruits and vegetables, but for many parents that is a problem. This is why Horizon Little Blends and TwitterMoms have joined forces to create a fun and easy blogging contest. They want to know how moms make sure their kids are eating all their fruits and veggies, even if they have to sneak them into their food! What are your tips, tricks and advice for getting your kids to eat their fruits and veggies? We want to hear from you! If you are one of the first 100 moms to enter the contest you will automatically get prizes for yourself and your readers! Please visit their site to find out to you can participate.
These are my thoughts and tips:
I know that is is important to start your little ones off eating healthy right from the beginning. You should also set a good example. Children like to do what others are doing and parents are very good role-models. My daughter loves to eat fruits and veggies more than my son does. So sometime I need to get tricky and help him realize just how much he just loves the fruits and veggies. Sometimes I add blueberries to pancakes to sweeten them up or top them with fresh strawberries instead of syrup. I love to make zucchini bread and the kids don't even realize that there's veggies in it. Also, my daughter loves to eat carrots,cucumbers and celery but she likes to dip them in ranch dressing. I don't care...because she's eating her veggies. If your child refuses to eat fruits or veggies you may want to puree carrots, sweet potatoes,etc and hide them in other foods that are the same colors,this way they don't know. Another way is to add applesauce to your cakes instead of oil. You can't even notice the difference. And kids love smoothies and shakes-sneak in some fruits and veggies and they have a healthy treat. We really need to get our children to eat healthy. Please feel free to leave me your tips and enter this contest. And try out Little Blends.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

National Eat Together Week



This week is the start of National Eat Together Week. September 20-26,2009.
I feel that Family Time is Very Important and we all should try to eat together as much as possible. That's one of my reasons for joining in on this event. Also, I love twitter parties and will be participating on Monday evenings party. The most important reason I'm joining in on this (and hope you will too) is to help feed America. This is how....
This year, in addition to encouraging families to spend time at the table, America’s pork producers are helping those in need enjoy a meal, too. Beginning at midnight on Sunday, September 20th, America’s pork producers are encouraging you to “click for a cause”. For every recipe printed or shared via email from the special National Eat Together Week section on TheOtherWhiteMeat.com, America’s pork producers will donate five pounds of pork (or about 25 meals) to a food bank in need.
I think that is pretty Great for the pork producers to do and That's pretty easy for us to help. I know you can "click for a cause" So please help out.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Sharing info about Thursday's Twitter Party


The purpose behind #MomsRock is simple. It's moms supporting mom-owned businesses. And then those mom-owned business give back by offering discounts & promotions on their products. It's a win-win!

Take the Pledge and join the Twitter Party on Thurday.
The Pledge:
--I pledge to purchase from mom-owned businesses as often as possible in my daily life. Be it online or in person.
--I pledge to support my fellow mom in word and action when online.
--I pledge to be a mom that rocks the economy.


Take the Pledge!

Are you going too?
If so... see you at the twitter party launch.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Thoughts and Prayers for Kennedy

My thoughts and prayers are of my neice Kennedy. Please keep her in your prayers. She is in the hospital again. On Friday evening Colleen had to take her to the hospital because she starting having more seizures. Then they transported her to Children's Hospital where she's in picu. She had to spend her birthday in the hospital (which really stinks) and she is still there now. I wish I could be there to Hug and kiss Kennedy and to help support my sister. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Back a while ago Kennedy was given her very own song. I really love it and I know how much Kennedy loves hearing this song. This was made by the Songs of Love Foundation.
This song was written and performed by Denise Rosier and Colleen made this video. I wanted to share this with you.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Loving Memories on Grandparent's Day


This is a picture of my grandparent's. My mother's parents. This was taken about 25 years ago. As my grandfather passed away a couple of years after this was taken. God Bless my dear grandpa. We love you so much and you will remain in our hearts forever. And as for my grandmother she is still looking good and almost 85 years old. Please check out her picture from just a couple of years ago, she hasn't changed much.

Happy Grandparent's Day to My Gramma


Happy Grandparent's Day to My Gramma.
This is a picture I really love. This was taken at my sister's wedding over 2 years ago. This contains 4 generations. My grandmother, mother, myself,my sisters and my daughter and neice.
My grandmother is doing well and will be 85 this October.
Happy Grandparent's Day... We all Love you!!!

Today's Grandparents Day

Photobucket
To my Mom & Dad: Wishing you a Happy Grandparent's Day...
Kylee, Connor, Gabriel, Kennedy and Zachary couldn't have gotten better Grandparents than You. They Love You So Much and are so happy to spend so much time with you.


xoxoxoxox

Happy Grandparent's Day Gammy!!


We just love this picture. This is Gammy with all her grandkids. We took this picture when she and the boys were here visiting this July. We love and miss you.

Happy Grandparent's Day Poppie


With Today being National Grandparent's Day.. We wanted to say Happy Day To Poppie. This is a picture of him and Connor. This was taken this March at his house in North Carolina. We Love and Miss You. And we hope to see you soon.

Grandparent's Day


This is a picture of my Grandparents. My father's parents. I thought that I would show you this picture as they are no longer with us. My grandfather just passed away this March and my grandmother has been gone for over 20 years. I love them and I am thinking of them today and everyday. They will remain in my heart forever.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Happy Birthday Kennedy


Happy Birthday To my neice Kennedy who is 8 years old today. We all love you so much and wish we were there to see your smiling face. I hope you have a good day.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Remembering 9/11

Today we Remeber 9/11 back 8 years ago. We all have our own memories,some may be better than others. I remember being at work and hearing about what had happened. I think it was an aweful day for many of us. I would like to send my prayers and thoughts out to all of you who lost a loved one on that day. I was almost 8 months pregnant with my second child and already emotional. I didn't know anyone personally who we lost that day but I remember everyone wondering if their loved ones were okay. It was a horrible feeling just watching the tv and listening to the news. Thank you to all of those heros that day.
Then that evening my mother drove to Wisconsin to be with my sister who was having her baby 7 weeks premature. I couldn't go(because of being preggo & stuff) and my mom had to get there fast. No flights out and she had to drive almost 15 hours. My aunt went with her. My mom left in a hurry she even forgot her purse. Luckly she had money in her pocket and a credit card. What a night... I worried the whole time. My neice was born on Sept. 12 not that horrible day 8 years ago.

Fitness Friday



I'm back. It's been quite a while since I've posted and participated in this. I really don't have alot to tell you. I love the WiiFit and have been back to doing it again on a regular basis. I have maintained my weight loss of the 20 some pounds I lost since the beginning on the new year but I can't seem to get rid of these last 5 pounds I've wanted to lose. Then Again... I haven't really been trying Too hard either. I guess I have been eating to much junk food. I'm exercising but not eating as healthy as I can. But that would ruin all my fun. Who doesn't like to eat ice cream and brownies? I do. I just need to eat them in moderation. I know what I have to do I just haven't been trying too. So that's my bad. I will get better I hope. I need to start increasing my workouts and less of working that fork into my mouth. LOL I can't really complain too much. I hope all of you are sticking with it and reaching your goals. I hope that next week I will have more to tell you. I do want to let you know...That I love the WiiFit so much and people have noticed my 20 pounds weight loss. I really wasn't that much overweight to start with so 20 pounds for me was good. I dropped a few sizes and toned up. I think I'm looking pretty good. Of course, we can never truely be satisfied(at least I can't)So anyways, Since my Sister Colleen and I have been doing the Wiifit and we lost weight and are looking Good. Colleen's lost over 40 pounds. You check her story out here. Now... Our family members want to too. I am telling you this because "We Inspired them". They went out and bought the Wii and the WiiFit. And that's 4 different families. I'm happy that they want to get fit too. Yeah for us all and keep hula hooping. I'll be back next week.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Today's 09/09/09

I was just wondering how many people realized today's date? ... 09/09/09...
When do you think that will happen again.?. (Not for quite a while)
I Hope it's a Lucky Day for everyone.
I was just getting back to you to let you know that my kids first day of school went really good. Can you believe that Connor told me his least favorite thing about school was lunch. He said it's because he doesn't care to eat. I bet that will change when he gets abit older. Who doesn't like to eat? He doesn't get that from me or his father. lol Connor was so tired last night though...I wonder why. Tonight I bet he will be too. He has Soccer practice so I'm sure he'll be extra tired. Kylee is enjoying school too. She loves seeing her friends. This morning she didn't get up as early. But she still had plenty of time. We are getting our routine down. I hope...
Well, I've got alot to do, so I'll share some more later.

Chef Michael's House Party


I was Honored to Host My First House Party. And It was for my Paw-fect Friends.
We weren't able to have this party on the National Party Day August 16,2009 but we had it just a week later. We had our friends and family & Pawfect guest sample this new Dog Food. My Dogs just LOVE it. And I've only been hearing Good things for everyone eles. My kids were so excited when our package arrived. You would've that it was for them.

Then we broke into our party package. Wow!! We sure got alot. I'm not going to list everything but we got "Doggie Plates, napkins, Goody Bags, Wet & Dry Dog Food. They were very generous in what we received. I've included some pictures for you to see how much the Dogs enjoyed this food. It didn't take them long to chow this down.


Thank You House Party!!!

Thank You to Purina Chef Michael's....


More pictures of our Guests...Not all in attendance shown...
This is Kylee and Buddy

This is Pete,Connor and Magnum

This is Gary and Toby

These are just a few of our Paw-fect Friends.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Connor's First Day of Second Grade


Connor was excited to go back to school. He couldn't wait. Ever since we went school shopping, he's been excited to wear his new clothes. He is looking forward to seeing his new teacher and making new friends. Last night he has a hard time falling asleep and was up early this morning. He woke up a few times and I had to make him go back to bed. Then around 7:45 he got up and took his shower. He was so anxious he didn't want breakfast. I did manage to get some Orange Juice in him but he wouldn't eat anything. I hope he doesn't get hungry. Although, he has Cheerio's for a snack and brought a good lunch. Then I expecting him to eat a few cookies I made for him as a special treat. It's a tradition that I've kept making cookies for the kids on their first day of school. I was picture happy this morning and took alot of pictures. He still wants me to wait for the bus with him. And so I did and I took many pictures; the sun was out and he's squinting in most of them though. Here they are:




I hope he has a Really Good Day. I can't wait to hear all about school when he gets home. I'll let you know how things went tomorrow.

Kylee's First Day of Sixth Grade


Today, September 8,2009 Is the First Day of the new school year and Kylee is starting Sixth Grade.
She was ready to go back to school after a nice summer vacation. She is looking forward to seeing all her friends. She had a hard time falling asleep last night and I was worried about her being tired and crabby, but she wasn'nt.
Kylee wanted to get up at 6:00 to shower and have plenty of time to get ready. I figured it would take a few attempts to get her up and in the shower. But... I was surprised. Her Dad woke her up at 6:00 and before I even got out of bed I heard her in the shower. I hope that it continues to go that easy. Lately she's been a bear trying to get up. She didn't even take that long getting ready. She had plenty of time to eat her breakfast and time to watch tv.
I took some pictures and we went out early to wait for the bus. I wasn't sure what time it would be here and wanted her to be early. She didn't want me to wait with her and let the other kids on the bus see me taking pictures. (She is in Middle school). Here she is looking so grown up. Buddy her yellow furry friend likes to wait for the bus with her. She just has to try to avoid taking his fur to school with her. LOL
Here's a few more pictures.




I hope she has a Great Day. I have a special treat for her when she gets home. (I always make cookies for the kids on their first day back to school.)
I'll let you know tomorrow how school went for her.