A couple of reviews

This is a totally random post that has nothing to do with my family. Due to my manfeet always being barefoot or wearing flip-flops, I have cracks that even make me cringe to see. So, as I was in Walgreens last night, I see the Ped Egg at the checkout. I asked the clerk if she knew of anyone that used it and she said that she had it and LOVES it. Ok, so if you have seen the commercial, you know that you basically grate your feet and the "shavings" (bleck) go into the egg compartment. That thought alone made me want to vomit, but since it is only April and I have the next 6 months (at least) of barefootedness, I figured that I should at least give it a try. Ok- it's awesome. Yes, the shavings are nasty to think about, but really just look like powder (ew, ew, ew, ew, ew...). I recommend it.



My second review is of the movie, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". Scott came home from work early today and we decided to take advantage of the chance to go to the movies. We were originally going to go see "Baby Mama" because Scott has a serious crush on Tina Fey- seriously, she's on his list. LOL! Turns out that movie started too late for us to see and return to get Ethan in time, so we got in just in time for FSM.

I was prepared for some completely inappropriate humor. I knew that main character goes full monty in the beginning of the movie. I saw 40 year old virgin and didn't think it was incredibly funny, so I just looked forward to the time Scott and I were spending together. Turns out, the movie was really funny! The English actor in the movie was hilarious, Mila Kunis is stunningly beautiful, the scenery is awesome, Paul Rudd- well, I love him. It was not money wasted for us- we had a fun time. The only uncomfortable part would be sharing the theatre with a much older couple...seriously 30+ years older.

Now, it will likely be another 6+ months before Scott and I can go to the movies again unless he figures out a way to go so he can see his Baby Mama crush, Tina Fey.

Special Olympics

Yesterday, Ethan participated in his first Special Olympics. It was nothing like I expected- more like a field day really. It was all fun and good times, except I had Ethan stand/walk the entire time. The grounds were wet and he didn't really want to be held, so he had to stand. He loved the track, so next year we may sign him up for relay! The montage is of the day, so it includes his classmates.


2008 Spring Special Olympics

Uppercase Living

First of all, thank you to those that cheered me up from my funk yesterday. I felt much better today. THANK YOU!!!

Now, my big announcement: I am now a demonstrator for Uppercase Living!

Never heard of it? I hadn't either. When I was back home in California, my sister, Kim had these beautiful expressions on her walls. They added so much character to her home! She showed me the catalog and I was in love! When I returned back to North Carolina, I contacted another demonstrator. I found out that there are hardly any representatives in my area, so I would essentially be coming into the company when it is new and fresh. Sounds good to me!

Yes, this is a direct sales company. But, the difference about Uppercase Living for me is that I think that it is a fabulous company that can bring happiness to many homes! Anything that you order is by your own preference, so I don't need to have stock on hand or try to pressure people into buying things. What you buy is truly what will bring more to your home! My out of pocket expense is minimal and I am hoping to make that back within a month.

I really needed something that I could do from home and still have the flexibility for Ethan. That was my challenge. Nobody would watch him afterschool and nobody would hire me now with my limitations for him. Financially, it really put us in a bind. So, I am beyond happy that I will be able to contribute back to my family! Another great thing is that Scott and I can work together on different projects.

I truly believe that God put this opportunity in my lap. I have not worked since January and we continue to be provided for. It is truly amazing!

If you would like to see Uppercase Living a little closer up, log on to Uppercase Living, go to the Customer Corner. You will need to register, but it's free and super easy!

Demonstrator ID: 436564
Token: Faulkner

I look forward to hearing from everyone! Tell me what you think and better yet- let me know if you would like to host your own Open House! ;-)

Bad days

I don't feel myself. I am trying. I'm tired. My hands are acting up. I am going to a at-home party in a bit. Maybe putting on some makeup will actually help me feel better.

Welcome to the tube club!

I had to have Ethan at the hospital this morning for a scheduled sedated ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) to check his hearing and a possible adenoidectomy. We did not anticipate a tonsillectomy since his tonsils are really small. The test was being done because we are trying to find an underlying problem for Ethan's lack of speech and language development.

Well, once the doctor was in there, he did not feel that the adenoids needed to be removed- so no A. Tonsils were fine too, so no T. No T & A for Ethan. What he did find was a LOT of fluid in his ears. So, we have now joined the ear tube club! His ENT nor I expected to be getting tubes today! He said that Ethan does not fall into the classic case of what is seen before putting tubes in- he rarely has ear infections. So, tubes it is.

The ABR shows that Ethan's hearing in his left ear is fine, but the test shows that he could have minor hearing loss in the right ear. The ENT feels that the test could have been affected by the fluid buildup and that we should retest the right side in the office on a regular basis. Even if he does have loss in the right ear, since his left ear is perfect, it would compensate the right and should not affect his S & L.

Now that Ethan doesn't have his port, they had to do an IV (thankfully after he was asleep), but removing it was awful. Poor baby screamed so loud! The tape they used was awful and it ripped every little hair off of his arm...my poor lil' monkey.

We're back home now and looking for a nap!

Support Ms. Mary!

Ethan's teacher, Mary Heaton, is on the Team in Training team to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She joined the team in honor of Ethan and his fight against blood cancer!

Mary has been instrumental in Ethan achieving his academic goals this year and we are so proud of her for taking the initiative to train to run over 13 miles for Ethan.

In the process of Mary's training for the half marathon in Nashville on April 26th, she also decided to train for the full 26 mile marathon in Alaska! Unfortunately, Mary has injured her hamstring and she is unable to even walk either marathon, but that doesn't mean that her heart is not with her team and with ETHAN! She will continue to join her team in Nashville to cheer them on.

Can you please help her cause? Any donation is greatly appreciated!!! Support Ms. Mary HERE

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The Clock is ticking...

Yep, the biological one. Bad timing. Well, it's been ticking for a while but it's really been bad the past few weeks. I want Ethan to have a sibling so bad. I want it for him. I feel that he deserves it. I can't imagine my life without my sisters and brother and I think that Ethan having a sibling would do wonders for him. Have you noticed the I and not we? Of course, me being unemployed now doesn't help things!

I never thought that my children would be so far apart in age. I mean, only having Ethan during the time of our move and his leukemia treatment was a huge blessing. We were able to concentrate solely on him. Scott feels that if we have another baby, we are taking away from Ethan. He deserves all of our love and attention. So, I am torn because that then makes me feel like I want to take away from Ethan. That is not the case!

I watched some friends in church yesterday with their new baby girl. I watched them cuddle and smile at her. I almost cried. I want it again.

Part of this is selfish for me. I miss being pregnant. I want to experience it again. The other part is definitely for Ethan.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

The Memory Keeper's Daughter aired on Lifetime last night. It is based on the novel by Kim Edwards about a doctor whose wife gives birth to twins, one of them having Down syndrome. Based in 1964, the doctor told the nurse to take the baby to an institution and then proceeded to tell his wife that the baby died. The nurse does as asked, but once she sees the horrific practices towards the children/adults at the institution, she leaves and takes baby Phoebe with her.

I have not finished the book yet and I now look forward to comparing the TV version against the novel. I feel that the movie captured many points that we even continue to battle today. Our children with Down syndrome ARE capable, they ARE beautiful, they ARE smart, they ARE aware! Our children with Down syndrome are not sentenced to a death sentence- they LIVE! Our children with Down syndrome are not mongoloids- they are OUR children.

Overall, I was very pleased with the movie (minus the awful hair style/wig that they had on Phoebe!). I recommend that everyone watch it/read the book.