Way too important not to share! Some just do not know what they are missing! Others are very fortunate! If you're looking for a plan B in this economy, you may want to look at having your own virtual franchise!!!
http://www.juiceplusvirtualfranchise.com/
Ready for a Plan B? 97% of people work a J.O.B = (Just Over Broke). All of them want a M.B.A. = (Massive Bank Account). They are clueless on how to create wealth and be R.I.C.H = (Residual Income Creates Happiness). Continuously surrounding themselves with H.A.T.E.R.S = (Having Anger Towards Everyone Reaching Success). And then wonder why they are P.O.O.R = (Passing Over Opportunity Repeatedly).
{Thanks, Michelle for posting for me to steal! :) }
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Love this!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Can't afford it?
I was at the grocery store the other day and needed to pick up some fresh fruit.
I browsed the apple section and glanced at the price. $1.99/lb. Ok, so how many apples will that get me?
ONE. One apple for $1.99 {ok, slightly under since the apple was just under a pound}.
Juice Plus+ provides the nutrition from 17 vine-ripened fruits, vegetables, and grains for $1.39/day. That is less than the cost of one apple a day.
What are you waiting for?
http://www.fillthegap-juiceplus.com/
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Choices
Today, I had to make a very difficult choice. And, after I tell you what choice I had to make, I am sure that you will agree that it would be hard for anybody to choose.
This morning, I had the pleasure of going to church with my friend Nancy. Just me and her. Ethan and Scott stayed home. Once I got home and had lunch, I either had to tackle the laundry oorrrrrrrrrr grab a pillow and a few blankets, along with my favorite son and head outside onto the hammock for the best time of snuggles and Sunday nap. SUCH.A.HARD.DECISON.
It was a little cooler today than yesterday, but it made it so that Ethan cuddled up to me really close. I had my forehead to his and I thought of how peaceful it was to be outside without phone, tv, or internet, and to hear the birds chirping, and to open my eyes to watch the clouds drift by.
I ended up not sleeping much at all. I ended up staring at my beautiful son sleep. I listened to his precious "sleepy" talk and wondered what he was dreaming. I looked at the peach fuzz on his face as the wind blew across his handsome face. I watched his long eyelashes flicker as he dreamt. I watched his body rise and fall with each inhale and exhale of breath. I watched in amazement of this amazing creation that I brought into this world.
As I reflected upon his complete and total perfection, my heart was sad for all of the uneducated people who would choose to NOT bring a child like Ethan into this world because of fear of the unknown or fear of not being normal or perfect. He is the most precious gift that Scott and I have to date. I hope that people who know us or meet us know that.
So, today I had to make the {obviously} simple choice to let the laundry wait another day in order for me to have one on one time with my boy and all of his perfection. Gosh, I hope that I have to face that choice again soon.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Inspiration Through Opportunity*
Inspiration Through Opportunity*
By Kristen Faulkner Pfafftown, NC
Nearly eight years ago, our son, Ethan, was born. We had no idea what was in store for us — even before we got the news Ethan has Down syndrome! My husband, Scott, and I chose to focus on our baby and not the fact that he was sporting an extra chromosome. While we appreciated people further along in this journey offering us support, it was overwhelming to hear about what their older kids were doing. We just wanted to love Ethan and enjoy his babyhood...
We immediately enrolled Ethan in Early Intervention (EI). Monthly home visits increased to weekly with constant reassurance that Ethan was “right where we expect him to be.” Not having other children or direct involvement with other children with DS, those words were blissful music.
Ethan will be a superstar and prove everyone wrong about how successful a person with Down syndrome can be!
Time passed and it became obvious Ethan was not where he should be developmentally. We asked for more EI visits, physical, occupational and speech therapy. The news was discouraging with limited therapy options and an hour plus drive to see a private pediatric therapist. Our speech requests were denied since “children with DS don’t talk until they are older than three anyway.” After running in circles trying to get Ethan the necessary services, a door opened… across the country!
Based on his needs, Ethan was accepted into a five-star developmental day preschool program, passing over six children on the waiting list ahead of him. It was heart-wrenching to leave our family, friends and everything familiar to give Ethan the opportunity to catch up in his development in an inclusive preschool with all of his therapists in one setting. We felt we had to take the chance. We were so fortunate to have found such an amazing school.
We were confident Ethan would catch up and prove that children with DS can do anything if given the opportunity!
Unfortunately, Ethan’s health rapidly declined soon after we arrived in our new home. After four months of continuous infections, antibiotics, fevers and restless nights, a blood test revealed all of Ethan’s blood counts were dangerously low. Not just anemic, but requiring a blood transfusion.
A repeat CBC and a referral to our local children’s hospital confirmed Ethan was about to face the fight of his life — quite literally. Three months shy of his third birthday, Ethan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and underwent surgery to have a port-a-cath placed in his chest to begin chemotherapy treatment.
Over the course of the nearly three-year course of treatment, including daily doses of chemotherapy, Ethan was hospitalized countless times. (The parking deck employees actually thought that I was an employee because they “saw me all the time.”) From blood infections and pneumonia, to an actual Code Blue and induced coma in the PICU due to a bronchoscopy gone terribly wrong, the hospital was our home away from home.
During his treatment we discovered Ethan also had dysphasia and required thickened liquids, severe acid reflux and a B-cell deficiency. These discoveries added to Ethan’s time in the hospital due to aspirate pneumonia from both food being swallowed AND reflux coming back up. We couldn’t focus on therapy. Our main concern was for Ethan to beat his battle with cancer.
When we could finally claim victory over the cancer, I began my own inner battle. I needed to move on to the next challenges…walking…talking…chewing food….
It has been incredibly difficult to watch children younger than Ethan surpass him in their development. To see children — born years after Ethan — walking or communicating leaves emptiness within my husband and me. But, we continued to remind ourselves that chemo and hospitalizations are not a desirable combination on any day, particularly for a child with special needs who developmentally may rapidly regress.
For some reason, Scott and I focused on walking. I think we just wanted him to be up and about with his peers. I figured that if Ethan was running around with other kids, communication would soon follow. The same was true with oral motor skills and eating...if other kids were doing it, so would Ethan. We had to start somewhere; and, for us, that was walking.
A year after finishing treatment, Ethan still did not attempt to walk or do more than minimal weight bearing. Someone told me about a rare neurological condition called Tethered Cord Syndrome (TCS). The more I looked into it, I felt there was a strong possibility that Ethan had TCS. I asked the doctor, a local neurosurgeon, to order an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. He refused, saying TCS “is not Down syndrome-related.” I persisted and finally, nearly a year later, a MRI confirmed Ethan had been born with TCS.
This taught me an important lesson about following instincts. When I have a gut feeling about something regarding Ethan, I pay attention. I urge other parents to do so, too.
Three months ago, a different neurosurgeon performed the surgical repair. The new doctor said there was no doubt Ethan needed the surgery and that it was likely the main cause of his slow growth and difficulty with walking. Since the surgery, we have seen an amazing improvement in Ethan’s walking. He is visibly excited to be up and independent.
Technically, Ethan’s needs classify him as “severe and profound delayed.” This still brings moments of sadness. We remind ourselves that this sweet child of ours has faced more challenges than average. In addition to everything else, Ethan has also been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), a form of autism.
Because of Ethan’s severe delays, I feared he would never get to know students outside of his classroom, but his neighboring students love Ethan! My son is a little celebrity at school. The kids say “hi” and “bye” to Ethan in his very own ESL (Ethan Sign Language). His fellow students want to help him walk and learn. They want to know Ethan. The kids describe Ethan as sweet, fun, nice, loving, friendly, smart and walking. They see a friend who is a good kid, likes to play, is part of their school family and says "hello" in a special way.
Recently, some of the students wrote letters to Ethan. When I read them, my heart bursts with happiness and pride:
• “When you laugh, it makes me happy.”
• “I love having you in our class.”
• “Ethan, you’re awesome!”
• “You are an intelligent person.”
• “You make a difference in my life.”
• “Every time you come in our classroom, if someone is sad and you give them a smile, then they feel happy again.”
• “I have seen you mad, sad, happy, and glad. I have seen all your feelings. I love being with you.”
• “You’re really not that different than me — you just have harder hair.”
• “After getting to know him, my children grew to love Ethan and realized the beauty of children with special needs.” (from a parent and teacher)
Ethan’s school principal says:
Ethan brings such a great perspective to our daily lives. He is absolutely the most popular young man in our school! Our students love him for who he is. They have learned about his struggles and assist him in such a caring and loving way. They do not see him as “different,” they see him as “theirs.” They embrace him and help him learn..and all the while he is helping them learn...he helps us all learn about mutual respect, persistence, consistency, patience, kindness, and genuine happiness. We are better because we know Ethan.
Over the past few years, I have found myself feeling as if I didn’t belong in the DS “club” anymore because of Ethan’s delays. We did not fit the profile of a DS “superstar.” That felt very isolating.
Now, while Ethan may never be the keynote speaker at a podium or a world-class athlete, I know that he is a superstar in his own right. Ethan has already overcome so many obstacles in his life and has inspired so many people. Today, I celebrate my son and his successes, be it nail trimming without a tantrum or that first independent step.
*Reprinted from 2009 by request, original blog reference here.
My sweet boy...
When I got into the class, they were in the middle of circle time. Ethan turned around and saw me come in. He gave me a sweet grin- which was precious, but what totally melted my heart was when he looked around his teacher to see me again and he then blew me kisses and signed "hi" without any prompting!
Functional and appropriate communication. Freaking LOVE it!!! ♥
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Princess O
Three years ago, Olivia left us. It is so hard to believe that 3 years has passed. Not a day goes by that she is not in our thoughts. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't miss her. I can actually still smell her hair. I cannot fully express to anyone how much that precious little girl meant to me or how much I love that child. I know that Karen knows and I guess that's all that really matters.
My wish for Karen today is that she feels the breeze upon her cheek as she gets that kiss from her baby directly from the land of happy.
Olivia's Montage
I always sang this to Olivia. God Bless her, she asked for it over and over again. Poor Karen had to listen to me sing it over and over again. LOL.
As always, please keep Karen and Weldon in your thoughts and prayers today. Thanks. ♥
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Has your child been sick this season?
There are many of us that dread cold/flu season because of what it does to our kids. The misery, the snot, the coughing, the whining, the crying, the missed school, the missed work...
I have had our family on Juice Plus+ since the summer. We are not immune to illness, BUT I can report that Scott and I have both had minimal cold symptoms and they only last a day or two. What is even more exciting for me is that Ethan hasn't been out sick ONCE. The once immuno-compromised child whose runny nose would always turn into a need for an antibiotic has not been out sick once. He has been surrounded by kids in his class who have been sick, but he is plugging on. Coincidence? I don't think so! The healing effects of vine-ripened fruits and vegetables are obvious by our own testimony!
We participate in the Juice Plus+ Children's Health Study. The study enables us to get Ethan's product free with a paying adult order for up to 3 years. Some study results have just been released:
The latest results are in!
Based on the responses of 150,000 families participating in the Children's Health Study, taking Juice Plus+® has far-reaching effects on health and well-being.
See the results HERE.
After making Juice Plus+® a part of their daily lives, children and adults are:
- Eating more fruits & vegetables
- After only 4-8 months, over half of children and nearly two-thirds of adults are eating more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
- Eating less fast food and drinking fewer soft drinks
- After only 4-8 months, two-thirds of children and adults are eating less fast food and drinking fewer soft drinks and/or high-sugar children's beverages every day.
- Drinking more water
- After only 4-8 months, 63% of children and 68% of adults are drinking more water throughout the day.
- Visiting the doctor less
- After only 4-8 months, over half of children and 42% of adults are visiting the doctor less for "sick visits."
- Missing fewer days of school or work
- After only 4-8 months, nearly half of children are missing fewer days of school.
- Likewise, nearly half of adults are missing fewer days of work.
- Taking fewer over-the-counter and/or prescription drugs
- After only 4-8 months, nearly half of children and 34% of adults are taking fewer over-the-counter and/or prescription drugs on a regular basis.
- More aware of their health and wellness
- After only 4-8 months, more than 8 out of 10 children and adults have a greater awareness of their own health and wellness.
- Reaping a positive benefit of some kind
- After only 4-8 months, the vast majority of participants — 92% of children and 94% of adults — are reaping a positive benefit of some kind.
The best news of all is that the longer people stay on Juice Plus+®, the more health benefits they experience.
Juice Plus+® Health Benefits Increase with Time
I want to be a part of your healthy self! Contact me for more information!
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