Birthday Relaxation

I usually Love LOVE birthdays, however mine is a little different. I was actually feeling a little old when I woke up on Sunday, ( Sep 26Th ) After all, I am now in my Official early 30's, I wish that I could say that I was still in my 20's, though I do have to admit 30's are Way Fun! I woke up to the boys singing happy birthday, 2 sweet lovely cards and balloon. I told Kent all I wanted for my birthday was a Day of Relaxation, doing ZERO, Nada, nothing! It was very nice to be pampered and and loved not touching a dish. Kent made The BEST, cake ever! I am not even kidding.. I have truly never had a better tasting cake.. I think I gained a few lbs just looking at it, then the tasting.. Oh, so creamy and just melted in my mouth. Dinner was Corn Beef Brisket, Yummy salad & fruit W/rolls. I have to admit.. I have not eaten red meat for quite a long time, just for health reasons, However.. I broke this for Kent's dinner. OH man.. I really did pay for it afterwards though... ( My stomach hurt for hours..) only from a little bit too. My parents came over, and I got such Beautiful cast-iron oven dishes. Candy Apple Red, Navy blue, and Lemon Yellow. B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L I loved everything! One year for sure older, though I do feel a little wiser, believe it or not.. I have quite a bit of life lessons under my belt, cant wait to see what another year will prepare me for. Thanks for all your Birthday wishes!!

Karson Of course dove in the cake..
Kaids Plate { eats only filling and frosting..}

Buddy walk 2010

This past Saturday was NWDSA Annual Buddy Walk, and by far this year was the best! Each year we notice the crowd bigger, and organization better, this year was fabulous. We enjoyed dancing, watching hula hoop contest, ( karson tried.. ) There was a noticeably prominent different color shirt though when we walked in. Bright Yellow shirts were on I would say 1/3 of the crowd, after asking I was even more happy that we did not miss the walk. On the shirt was a boy named

Nathan, I recognized one of the women wearing the shirts, and only after she took the stage, and begun to talk the tears started to flow. I copied this from a news article.

"Nathan Vredevelt was sixteen, and had Down Syndrome, and his friends and family loved him very much. Sunday, he went to see the Trail Blazers play, and got to watch the game from a luxury box, where he’d watched the game many times. Nathan’s parents stayed home, and instead his sister and caregiver took their place. Nathan asked to use the bathroom, and when he found the door locked, he exited the sky box. His caregiver was near the entire time, but thought that Nathan was in the bathroom. He was missing less than five minutes when the call went out on the radio.

No one knows why he left the Rose Garden that night, or why he wandered into I-5, where he was struck by multiple vehicles traveling at freeway speed. Less than twenty minutes had gone by from the time he went missing to the time he was hit.

Nathan suffered severe head trauma, fractures, and internal injuries.

Nathan was hospitalized, and his family never wandered very far from him. Nathan’s mother publicly forgave the drivers of the vehicles and the people he was with at the game.

Nathan Vredevelt passed away peacefully today, Thursday, March 05, 2009, surrounded by family. He never regained consciousness from his injuries, and was removed from life support. He did not feel any pain. Nathan was a sophomore at Gresham High School." - Examiner.com

The Reason why, I am saying this, When we found out Kaid had Down Syndrome I received a Book, Still to this day I am not to sure who gave it to me. It was " Angel Behind The Rocking Chair" and Pam ( Nathans mother) was the Author. For Years now, I have wanted to write her, and tell her how much this helped me, and at times We experienced our own, Angels that were in the room. I was Just So moved that she was the Guest speaker, and the tribute was for Nathan, and to show all the love the community everyone had for him.

The Walk was Amazing.. Thank you to the Love and support you all give to me, and kaid! We love you all!

Nathan

kaid and me, about to Walk

Ariel, Kent, Me, kaid Karson- Great to see Ariel!

Connie, Kaids Respite Provider- She's The BEST!

My Dad Sporting Thumbs up for the walk!

Tired Kaid, after the walk.. just finished his Hotdog.

karson was Beat!

Iam So excited.. And I just Cant Hide it!!!!!

I am really REALLY looking forward to my Relaxing Getaway in 12 DAYS!! I can not believe it's just right around the corner!! Sun, please stay bight the whole time. I am looking forward to; Zero wake up time, no one pulling my hair at 3am to get him juice, Zero laundry,dishes,diaper duty,therapy appointments,driving around doing errands,grocery shopping.. MAN The list really can go ON... and ON.. I AM So excited.. And I JUST cant HIDE it!!

This is Nassau Below.. The water is Really this Heavenly Too... Ahhhhhhhhhh

Clonidine -- I know it's LONG. If ANYTHING PLS READ!!!

My typical morning consists of, waking up around 6am, the breakfast selection from boys, helping kaid pick out what to make for lunch, showers, then out for the bus at 8:50am. Shortly after kaid's departure, Karson and I cuddle on the couch and watch sesame street for a half hour until his nap, then the House work begins. However this Am, was So Different. Sorry for the long intro.. it's important, really :) So As karson and I sat down, and nuzzled in our cozy seat, i turned the Tv on. I was FROZEN as the TV was ON. The night prior, I remembered I was watching a court case ( I cant remember exactly.. CNN show.. ) Anyways.. So as I read the Article across the screen I began to just become sick to my stomach. I was watching Court TV, In session here is the Exact program (Click here ) Blasted on the Tv, Said, 4YEAR OLD little Girl Murdered by her parents, Over Medicating her on CLONIDINE!!

Backing up a bit, Kent and I, have been really having a difficult in past months with the medications that kaid has been on. After seeing specialists, and various doctors, changing some medications and adding to some, that he is currently taking we feel ( FELT ) comfortable with, Truly seeing a change in doing so, only to be punched in the stomach, when the medication that was being focused on was the medication that kaid has been on for over a year.

Kaid is on Clonidine, for a few weeks now, he has been experiencing cramping in his hands, blurred vision, ( thought it was his eyes.. as he now has glasses.) Extreme cotton mouth, spasms in his legs and hands, and has been coughing so hard at night.

Now continuing watching this morning's show, this sweet little girl was experiencing these symptoms as well..(( Much Much more severe of course, )) though she passed away. After watching this program, ( I just finished, Had to record 4 hours long.) She was OVER Medicated BIG time!!! I rushed over to kaids clonidine prescription, and read his Mg/ is 0.1mg/ The reason why I am blogging this tonight, I have never been so worried about what we were giving kaid, though found myself double checking, triple checking.. knowing with certainty we were not giving him too much, more wondering if the side effects he was experiencing were related just to clonidine. I quickly called his pediatrician, and told him everything I watched, ( brief of course) as well as kaid symptoms. After hearing the times that I was scheduled to give him his medications, the doctor advised me to limit one dose. I was, sad, Hurt, and Confused as to WHY this was not caught from the Doctor! I trusted that the doctors know how much to medicate, and what to prescribe. I called several times, reporting the issues we saw with kaid, his hands froze up, or his feet, and legs.. etc, the nurses told me from the other medications he was on it most certainly could be from possible lack of water... ( WHAT?? )) I chucked this up.. though.. and more time went by... I was WAY on the fence with this medication, being the for the use of High blood pressure, ( as well others..)

I Urge all that are reading this, to Read this trial, To become aware that medications to have side effects that might not be known to even the doctor ( if child is on other medications.)

In no was shape or form are we giving kaid more then he needed, though the side effects that were presented to kaid from this medication on a normal dose was shocking. ALWAYS READ UP on MEDICATIONS... I have Done for all a of Kaids, This is our job as parents, to really make sure we know what the side effects and symptoms are. The side effects that Kaid was experiencing, from the Nurse On call, that the Hand twitching, and spasms' in his hand was from lack of water... This was So not the case.. I have never felt so Sad, This is OUR child! So.. I guess, I just wanted to post for other to just read up on this Sad disturbing case. I do apologize, if it's too much for you to handle, I truly can not believe that there are parents in this world like them. I am not Judging-- I am simply speaking out as a parent making a statement.

Ta Da! New Glasses

I have just loved this poem, and thought it fit. Hope you enjoy. I love it.

My face may be different , But my feelings the same, I laugh and I cry. And I take pride in my gains

I was sent here among you To teach you to love As god in heavens Looks down from above

To him I’m no different’ His love knows no bounds It’s those here among you In cities and towns That judge me by standards

That man has imparted But this family I’ve chosen Will help me get started For I’m one of the children So special and few

That came here to learn The same lessons as you That love is acceptance It must come from the heart

We all have the same purpose Though not the same start The Lord gave me life To live and embrace

And I’ll do as you do But at my own pace. -- Kayla Pearson.

Short Sweet post Kaid is loving his new 2Nd grade and his BIG bus. No more " small" bus

I was nervous seeing his reaction to getting on with the big kids, but he did Great!

Kaid is just a complete Joy. Though honestly he does have his days, and

sometimes there are many of them that run together, I/We would NOT trade these

sweet tender moments for ANYTHING. His teacher called me today, just to ask if there

was something they could do as a trick to calm kaid down, if he needs a break.

I thought to myself, " Yes, Yes there is, If you sing " Teach me to walk in the light."

With the Sign language as well, however I decided.. maybe I would leave that little

trick for home. Kaid loves Every primary song. We watched " The Work And The Glory"

this weekend, kaid was watching with such intent, when movie was talking about

Joesph Smith he came right to the TV, and would not move. I know what he is learning from us at home, and church is truly making him understand .

Sorry to go off track..

Scroll down to see the New Stylish kaid!

Day before school

First Day of school. ( Security tag still on sweatshirt.. yeah, )

He totally HAD to wear it, even though.. the store forgot to take it off.. LOL

Pre-glasses... On our Way..

Hes not too sure, but he knows he looks Awesome!!

Chowing down, first day Breakfast..