Good-byes

Today one of my best friends is heading to see one of her loved ones for probably the last time.

My heart is heavy for her and her family,

because I know it's hard knowing that this could be the last good-bye.

This brings back sooo many memories to be thankful for of those I've lost.....

I am so thankful that I got to say my Good-Byes

and I Love You's to

My Clifford!

(Although he was upset with me for not going on my Senior trip)

I am so thankful I was one of the last people to speak to my Aunt Bea!

I remember all to well her last words,

"I love you Jenny Boo! Go to the game and enjoy yourself,

I'm tired and going to take a nap.

I'll be home tomorrow and you can tell me all about it all."

(little did we know she wouldn't wake from this nap)

And last but not least,

I am so thankful that I got to spend my Uncle Kenneth's

last week sitting with him and discussing fears, hopes, and dreams!

Although he had suffered a lot,

my last visions were of him sleeping soundly

holding my Aunt Vickie's hand.

Thankfully, my last words were those of love and hopefully comfort.

I know that they are all 3 looking down and sending their love daily.

I wish that My Clifford and Aunt Becky would have gotten

to meet David, Jay, and Anna.

I know they would have spoiled the kids rotten.

And Clifford would have told Dave some of his wonderful stories

And I'm sure Anna would love Uncle Kenneth just as much as Jay did!

(cowboy hat and all)

It's better to go and say our Good-Bye's and I love you's

to those we know are fading fast, than to have regrets

and wonder if they knew we loved them.

I love you, My Clifford, My Aunt Becky Bea, and My Uncle Kenneth!!!!

You may be gone from here,

but you'll always be in my heart!!!!

than not and having regrets!

Been gone a really long time.....

Ok I basically had decided to end my blogging. Mainly because when I was still working I had a feeling that it was being read by certain people there to use against me some how. But I have decided that I need to get back on here for multiple reasons.

So here's a quick update.... I quit work at the end of May to become a Stay-At-Home Mom. It has been the best decision ever! I am so thankful that Dave has a job that provides for our family where this is possible. Yes, we have had to make a few sacrifices but they have each been well worth it!

Since then we have celebrated Birthdays, vacations, weekend getaways, sickness, firsts, letdowns, Holidays, play-dates, etc.

So I am now back and not afraid of any one's misuse of my family blog!!!!

10 yrs ago today......

I married the best friend I could ever have!

Happy Anniversary Dave! I love you more today than ever!

Me + Pollen = No Voice = Laughter

Don't you just love coming out to your car to see a nice yellow layer of pollen everywhere? Well, not me! Pollen means allergies. Pollen is itchy eyes. Pollen is runny nose. Pollen is scratchy throat. And Pollen loves to play with my vocal cords.

The past few days I have fought to keep my voice. I'll be fine one minute... then cough... and it's gone. Then wait 10-20 mins... cough again... and it's back. Today, I have been the point of laughter for my co-worker, Brittni. She has laughed at me more than once. I was perfectly fine until my cup of joe. After a few mins, I coughed and low and behold my voice went. We both got a good laugh when I was trying to catch someone's attention. I called his name and nothing came out. And when I say nothing... NOTHING! All I could do was snap, clap and bang on my desk to get his attention. And instead of helping get his attention, what does Ms. B do... she laughs and laughs and laughs. Finally she does get his attention. But we were all 3 laughing by the time it was over. But thankfully, with the help of water and mentho-lyptus cough drops, it's slowly coming back!

Now if it will just rain! Lots of rain! Take the pollen away please!!!

ADHD... Sorry long post!

Jay has a severe ADHD. As I write this, I know that there will be some people that will read this and question why I am being so open about this. But this has been our struggle for our family. I know that there are other families who will have gone through the same issues. We also speak openly about ADHD because we do not want Jay to feel as though he is an outcast or different. And I hope that if there's someone reading this that is questioning getting their child tested for ADHD, our story will give them comfort to know they are not alone.

As many of you know, Jay had a horrible experience in Kindergarten and 1st grade. We started 2nd grade knowing Jay was behind and would need a lot of work to get to his grade level. Dave and I discussed between ourselves that there was a possibility Jay had ADHD and his horrible experience the past 2 years had just magnified it. But after meeting with his teacher, Ms. Avery, and discovering Jay's classroom behavior/traits/functions we were almost certain this was the problem. Jay at the time was only reading 32 words per minute (grade average was 67) and not completing any assignments.

We went to our family dr (Dr. Katona) and got a referral to see Dr. Niinikoski at Apex Psychological Services. After giving her Jay's history and completing over 500 questions, she diagnosis Jay will Severe ADHD. We then started looking at which medication would treat him the best. Along with Dr.K. we started him on Strattera. Strattera is a non-stimulant. It basically had the same warnings as stimulants (decreased appetite, headaches, nausea, etc.) But what we really liked about the Strattera was it is not a controlled drug. And it seemed to work. After being on the Strattera for 4 weeks he had benched marked to 68 wpm, completing assignments, and staying focused in class. Had even gotten to over 100 wpm. But then the problems started. He started having issues of not staying focused after lunch, complaining of headaches daily, not sleeping well, etc. The headaches continued to get worse until Jay missed 4 days in 2 weeks because of migraines.

So back to Dr. K. we go... He refers him to a Pediatric Neurologist (Dr. Syed) for the migraines. It was the worst experience for a child to go through. He walked in and said, "You are just spoiled, you have no ADHD." (He was so rude to Jay I thought he was going to cry) "No more medication until after a portable EEG in 2 weeks. Then if you need more medication we will re-evaluate in 2 wks after EEG." We stopped the Strattera and amazingly the migraines stopped. However, the problems at school escalated greatly in 3 days of being off. Jay was now back to reading 41 wpm. And was even acting up badly enough to get detention. With phone calls from the principal and Ms. Avery, we knew we had to get him back on some type of medication.

So back to Dr. K. again... This time we decided it was best to try Jay on a stimulant. We decided to go with Adderall. And Man What A Difference. It was immediate!!!!!!! We could see a difference. Ms. Avery could see a difference. His principal could see a difference. And most importantly JAY Could See A Difference!

Since taking the Adderall, Jay is staying focused, reading 90+wpm, completing all assignments, etc. He is now at grade level! Somewhere we didn't know if he'd get to. He's always had an issue with self-esteem but now his attitude is "If they can do it, so can I". He's holding a conversation now without getting off track. It's almost like having a totally different kid! He is back to feeling normal.

I hope that if there's someone reading this that is questioning getting their child tested for ADHD, our story will give them hope! So many people try to keep ADHD silent. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It's nothing to be scared of. You have to think about how much your child is suffering. More people have ADHD than people realize. Jay has been amazed at who all he knows with ADHD. And Yes, having ADHD you are different. But as in Jay's words, "I'm different because everyone is different. I have ADHD so I have to work harder to focus and that it!"



Thanks to Ms. Avery, Dr. Niinikoski, and Dr. Katona! Without their help and support, Jay would still be suffering!

Starting New

Ok, so I just realized that I haven't updated my blog in what is now over 4 months. There has been a lot happen in the past few months. Christmas, Bama Winning the National Championship, Birthdays, Sickness, work, school, daycare, Spring Break, etc.

But this is starting new. Today! March 31st!

Sad I know.....

Ok, so yeah, I know it's sad, I haven't updated the blog since when, oh yeah August 31st. Too many things have happened since then to even remember. There's been everything from Jay's 8th Birthday, My Birthday, Chase's 20th Birthday, little Cooper Fanning's birth, Granny's 80th Birthday Surprise Party, Beach trip, Halloween, and football....lots of football! (RTR!!!)


Hopefully I'll be better about updating the blog!






It's Robin & Batgirl off to save the world!