Some prayers are answered….

and

As you all can imagine, I have had my share of "big" prayers over the last 4 years. Of course, the biggie… give me a miracle of a cure please...but it hasn’t happened yet. Another big one is that Alex will have friends, be socially accepted and not isolated. Over the past few years all has been OK. Away from school, he does have friends and has lots of playdates. He is still mobile enough to get around and play.

Well now that he is in 3^rd grade, the kids are maturing and all the boys do sports, so Alex has started to sit off on the sidelines more this year during recess…alone. This breaks my heart as you can imagine. The kids are too rough and rowdy and he knows he can’t do what they are doing.

We have talked to the school about this in the last month, and discussed some ideas to keep him engaged with other kids during recess. We have come up with a craft/Lego table, so this should help some. This idea is being worked on.

Well yesterday, the sweetest thing happened. Everything fell into place. Alex recently had an issue with a school kid that he sometimes plays with. Alex told his teacher about the incident and she suggested that Alex’s 3^rd grade class have a “class meeting” about the incident and see if the kids could come up with some advice/ideas for Alex. My shy 9 year old got up in front of these children and said” Boy A no longer wants to be my friend. I can’t play sports, but I like to play imaginative play” (such as Star Wars). I now have no friends to play at recess”. A few of them suggested things to say to Boy A, but finally a boy said, I like imaginative play, I can play with you during recess. Then all the kids said yea, me too, yes, me too and on and on…… Alex’s teacher had been hoping for this day for a long time. She knew that the children had to come up with the idea on their own and they did. So, they implemented the “buddy system”. He has 2 buddies assigned to him every day now for the rest of the year.

What an amazing group of friends, what an amazing teacher, and an amazing day! I cried tears of joy when I learned of this. Alex told me about it and he was so happy. His teacher said he stood 10 feet tall when he walked into class today.

Yes, I can honestly say…some prayers do get answered. One of mine did today.

Blessings.

Happy New Year (a little late)

Austin & Ellie playing on a chilly sunny afternoon.

Alex, Austin and Ellie find a worm and make a home for it in the dirt.
Cute :-)

Hi Friends & Family -

Well, I went a whole month without posting, and taking very few pictures. We have had a good start to 2009. Alex is busy with school and cub scouts. Lots of fun projects going on. I have been trying to stay busy with the twins and being outside when weather permits. I have taking lots of walks/jogs on the trail. Love it!

The 3 kids just got over being sick for a week and a half. It was not fun, but thankfully they are all better. Will and I have stayed well through it all. He traveled to Vegas last week on business, so he enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend...actually we all did.

The twins are doing really well. They are talking more and becoming very independent. Their favorite thing to say is "I do it". Ellie helps me set the table now and loads the dishwasher. It's great :-) I think Ellie is almost ready to transition to the potty. I am planning on potty training them beginning of March. It is very possible that she will start before Austin...we'l l see. They are also talking much better and pretty much repeat anything we say. Watch out!

Alex is also doing great. His therapists (PT and OT) are so happy with how well he is doing. We are actually going to start going every 3 months instead of every month.

Last... a friend of mine is having a "Fundraiser Event" for Alex / PPMD on March 28 from 2:00 to 6:00. More details will follow. I do know that three vendors will be displaying and selling their products and part of the sales going towards PPMD in honor of Alex. Also, all 3 vendors have websites, so you can purchase online and still take part in the fundraiser. Again, stay tuned for details.

Have a Great February and Happy Valentines!!! Will and I are going out on a very special date night on Feb. 14. Hope you all do the same :-)

~Hugs~ xoxoxoxo

Alex and I doing our Annual Tree decorating

Cuties pose by the tree

We love our cool t-shirts

They see presents for the first time this year.

Merry Christmas Photo - 2008

Family Update

Well, this year is almost over. Wow – it has flown by. I am happy to say that we have had a good year overall even during these tough economic times. 2009 should be interesting….. Here is a little update on the gang:

Alex - We are so thrilled and thankful that he has not declined at all this year. If anything, he is stronger in some ways. His checkup went very well in July in Cincinnati. The doctors are thrilled with how well he is doing. He is definitely more aware of his muscular dystrophy and asks lots of questions. He sometimes tells me he wishes he did not have it…. Heart breaking moment for mom. He is smaller than most kids his age, due to the meds. No big deal, but it is a little noticeable to him. He is small boy, but it is easier on him to carry around less weight. He still gets frustrated easy and has some trouble handling situations, but we are working on it. He is turning out to be quiet the writer. His teacher loves his stories and says she has never met a 3rd grader who can write the way he does….maybe this is his career in the making. He is in Cub Scouts for the third year in a row. He is a Bear Cub. It is a very fun organization. The outings and life lessons they teach are truly wonderful. He is a very sweet and caring boy. He loves his friends and his family. His favorite thing to do besides building Lego creations is to watch movies on the weekend with his dad and eat popcorn. This is their new weekend ritual.

Austin – What can I say about my sweet little guy… He loves Thomas the Train, trucks and cars especially Lightning McQueen from the Cars Movie. All boy….. He is a pretty easy kid most of the time. He is saying a lot of words but not saying sentences yet. When he gets mad, he screams….loud. No crying just screaming. He doesn’t get mad that often, but when he does, watch out. He loves to empty all toy boxes and containers, turn them over and climb on tables, furniture etc.….Yea that’s fun!! He was not scared of Santa this year. He walked up to him and sat next to him……but his sister wouldn’t let go of my leg…. So no Santa photo this year.

Ellie – Our little princess in the making and such a cuddle bug. She has turned out to be the cuddler. She grabs her blanket and body slams me to hug and cuddle. It is so cute. It use to startle me, but now I see her coming. She loves dress-up, her purse and brushing hair. Will is already getting styles by his daughter. Just you wait, one day I will get that photo of a barrette or bow in his hair…. Won’t that be funny. She is very passionate about things and can throw quiet the tantrum. Where Austin thinks whatever and moves on, she does not. She throws her body on the ground, floor, bed or whatever… Not a pretty sight from our little princess, but luckily they usually end quickly. I ignore them most of the time and hope and pray she will outgrow it before she hits 3…or 4 or 5. (ha ha). She is repeating most everything we say these days. She put 2 words together but no sentences yet.

They are two very active and energetic children. Around here right before dinner or after, can be rather loud and chaotic…. Lots of fighting, screaming and crying. Will and I usually smile or take deep breaths and try and get through. And yes, sometimes it is us crying… ha ha (not really).

Will – My hard working, busy husband. Yes, he has had a very busy year with work. He and his sales team have done a wonderful job this year but they work so hard. The children adore him and they all have a fun, rough and tumble play time almost every day. It is so funny, I told Will today, you are like a Rock Star around here. When Will is around (usually), I am invisible. Sometimes, it is a nice break for me. Today, when he walked in, they all yell out in joy, clap etc. I told Will…. They act like you are famous. Dads are the fun time, amusement ride entertainment while mom cleans the kitchen. It is fun to watch. Will is Cub Master again this year for Pack 800. He does a great job. Alex loves having his dad leading all the Pack Meeting. It is also great bonding time for them.

Kim - I feel like I am busier than ever but I do love it. I try to get more sleep than I use to. It was definitely affecting me. My days are filled with the usual SAHM (stay at home mom) stuff – Play group, playdates, school activities, cub scouts, homework, housework, laundry, etc. The same as most of you…I know but it does get exhausting. I do still love to try and do some things for me and that helps keep me sane – scrapbooking, book club, my Mom’s church group and long hot baths with a glass of Chardonnay and a magazine or book. Yep, I look forward to those moments. I am blessed that I can stay home with the kids. I do not take any of it for granted.

Overall – we are very blessed to have our loving family and friends, close and far away. I know I don’t see a lot of you often or talk to you often but I think of all of you a lot.

My hope for all of you and for us in 2009 is good health, peace, love and joy…. And that our economy gets back on track soon.

Love and happiness from our family to yours ~~~

Kim, Will, Alex, Austin and Ellie

Happy Thanksgiving

Grandpa Bill with Alex and Austin

Trying to get a pose with the kids...not easy

Little sweetie

Being silly

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with Will's parents. It was just us but was nice. We ate lots of great food. Leftovers on Friday were just as good. I am done with all that food for a while!

Now, its time to gear up for Christmas and decorating. The kids Santa list are complete and I have started some online ordering. My mom and sister will be here for a week. Can't wait -- they arrive in 3 weeks.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Check back soon.

4 years ago this week....

My 9 year old son, Alex was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. That was the worst day of my life. I was in a fog for months.

Then I got busy, learning, researching, networking, and figuring out what I had to do to keep him strong, happy and healthy for as long as possible.

I am thrilled to say that he is doing really well. He gets around really good, is doing good in school, has great friends and loves him family.

It is more important than ever to find a cure or atleast stop the progression. A day or minute never goes by that I don't pray for that miracle or atleast think about it. It's the elephant that never leaves the room.

Please keep these boys in your prayers always....Thank you.

http://www.parentprojectmd.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nws_index

Halloween Fun

Neighborhood kids ready to trick-or-treat

Ellie checking out the goodies in the bag

Austin loves Skittles!

Darth Vader and my little monkeys

HI -

I am finally posting some pics from Halloween. It was a fun night and the twins are now officially "pros" and taking candy from all the neighbors. The first house we went to, the twins kinda stood there as we showed them how to open their bags while the sweet neighbor put a candy bar in the bag. By house #2, Ellie was not shy, she just took 2 or 3 handfuls from their bowl and put in her bag... It was cute. We will work on manners by next year. Enjoy the pics.

We had some neighbors and friends over before and after trick-or-treating. It was alot of fun. It is nice to have Halloween on a weekend night.

Special time with good friends

Jodi, Emily, Eve and Me

Alex, Wynter (holding Logan), Payton and Christopher

I had lunch with my 3 good friends this weekend. Jodi came in from Los Angeles area with her beautiful daughter, Wynter, age 11. The first time I met Jodi she was with her 6 week old daughter...Wow...look at her now. Jodi is a dear friend that I don't see as much as I used to but I cherish our times together. She is an amazing friend, mom and woman... Her 8 year old son, Tristian was home with his dad.

We met at my dear friend, Emily's house. She has 2 beautiful children, Payton, age 7-1/2 and Logan, age 2-1/2. Emily and I are going to the Madonna concert Saturday night.... Yea!!! We are excited..... Emily and her children are very special to me. Payton and Alex have a special bond and have for most of their lives.

My other dear friend, Eve came with her son, Christopher, age 10. She has an older son, Jonathan who did not come. She and I have been friends for many years... I guess 7 or 8 now. She has the biggest HEART of any woman I know. She wears many hats and is amazing.

This day was very special and I will remember always. We don't get these moments that often, so we cherish them. The only person missing was our dear, funny, silly, beautful friend, Sabrina and her lovely 7 year old daughter Alyssa. Bri was in Mexico vacationing... We will see her next time.

Love you my friends. Can't wait to see you all again.