Giving Back - Support Michael

I know I have said this time and time again, so please forgive me for being repetitive. However, I would be remiss in not acknowledging the fact of how blessed I am to have these three, gorgeous, HEALTHY babies in my life. Yes, Hannah is six, but she still is and will always be my baby. My miracle baby at that. These three babies are what get me through the days, weeks and months. There is not a moment that goes by when I don't think of how wonderful my life has been with them in it. I long to keep them little.. I long to protect them from harm...I long to have them to snuggle with forever and ever. Without them, there would be a hole in my heart. They are what make my life complete. They are and always will be the greatest gift I could ever receive.

That being said, how could I not give back. How could I not pay it forward? As long as I am able, I am committed to giving back out of supreme gratefulness for all that I have. Recently I was introduced to a group on Facebook through a friend. It was about a young boy who is battling cancer. There is a fundraiser being held this summer in order to raise funds for his treatment. Cancer is a demon. It is awful for an adult to endure... for a child, it is cruel. No child should ever have to fight this demon. I am very passionate about helping to fight this demon. I fell in love with little Layla Grace Marsh a year ago and read her story daily. I cried with her parents and mourned her when she passed at the age of 2. Born only weeks apart from my own precious Layla Grayce. I never met this family. I never met their Layla. Yet, she touched my life in a way that I could never explain. Her amazing blue eyes and smiling face. She reminded me so much of my own Layla. Again making me realize how very fortunate I am to have my Layla here on earth with me.

So I am paying it forward and doing all that I can do to help a determined 12 year old boy named Michael, fight this Leukemia battle. I have offered my photography services for the event and I have sent gift certificates as well. Yet, there is still so much more to do and I am hoping that if you are reading this, you will be able to help too. Anything at all would be so very appreciated. Whether it be in the form of money, gift certificate, service or just spreading the word, I am asking that you help me, help Michael. I am hoping that you will find it in your heart to give back as well. I don't know Michael. I've never met his family. But I do know how great it makes my heart feel to fight this horrible disease with them. For more information about Michael and how you can help give back, you may email me at: Rianna002@aol.com or visit his Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Support-Michael/180750448628582

Michael's family has just set up this wonderful website! Please visit the link!

www.SupportMichael.com

THANK YOU!

xoxoxoxoxo

Punked?

Okay. What I am about to write, I solemnly swear, truly DID happen. I had to document this because I know how hilariously funny it is now, after the fact!



We pretty much spent the weekend on the couch. Layla started with the stomach bug Friday evening and began vomiting around 10:30 PM. From there, the poor child did not let up until about 9:00 PM on Saturday evening. It was a solid 24 hours of non stop, every 20 minutes or so, puking. I have never in all my life done so much laundry. From bedding, to blankets, to pillows, pj's... scrubbing carpets, floors and couches. On top of her being sick, Baby Cam was still having explosive diarrhea and was not feeling well himself. I was washing his crib bedding, clothes and blankets as well. (Hannah at this point was the only one still standing.) I myself, started with the bug on Saturday, but didn't have it nearly as bad as poor Layla cakes did. Did I mention that Billy was working from 5AM to midnight? I was so not in a good place by Saturday night!

Sunday proved to be a bit better as the two little ones started coming out of it. Layla was still not eating, but I was getting some water in her. She was not having anything else and pushed away the ice pops I offered her. After bathing her in the morning, I noticed under her arm she had that Petechiae rash that she had about a year ago. Remembering how the doctor made me head straight to the ER after he saw it on her.. I began to get a little concerned. I kept an eye on it throughout the day and by evening it had spread. Her Pediatrician's office was not on call so I texted a good family friend who is an ER doctor out of state. She had me take her temperature which was 101.5 at the time and then suggested I take her to Hasbro. (I remember all too clearly that this particular rash can mean some dangerous conditions and it is better to be safe than sorry.) After talking to Billy, we agreed I would take her while he stayed home with the other two who at this point were sleeping.

We headed out around 9pm. As I begin to take a right onto the on ramp of the highway, the car in front of me sees black ice and hits the brakes. OYE. She did a 360 before ended up to the left of the ramp. In order to avoid hitting her, I tried my best to steer out of the way of her car (missed it by inches) but ended up high up on an icy snow bank.. less than a foot away from the lamp post. The way I landed, the rear left end of my car was the only part not in the bank and this part was sticking out onto the ramp. The left side is also where Layla sits.. behind me in her car seat. The car behind me somehow managed to avoid the two of us and sailed on through to the highway. I quickly made sure that Layla was okay.. which, I don't think she skipped a beat in the movie she was watching. She was completely unaffected. (THANK YOU LORD) The car that had hit the brakes pulled up to apologize. It was two young girls, maybe college age. I could tell she felt bad and she offered to pull up ahead and help me. At this point I knew I was stuck too good for any of us to get my car out. I also did not want these girls to risk their lives on an on-ramp where they could easily be hit by the oncoming traffic. I told her not to worry, I would get some help, as I didn't want her to get hurt.

I was shaking like a leaf at this point as so many things were going through my head. I was most afraid of someone ramming into my back left side where Layla sat. I contemplated changing her car seat to the other side, but this meant, undoing two car seats of which in this time frame, she would be left unprotected by any seat belt. So in time of crisis, I called Billy. He told me to hang up and call 911. Which I did. They put me through to the Sate Police who then asked me if I had $85 cash to pay a tow. I didn't have that much cash on me, so he suggested that I call AAA since I am a member. I hang up and call AAA who after leaving me on hold for 20 minutes, comes back to tell me that they wont be able to get a truck out to me for at least an hour. UM.. at this point, countless cars have driven by me and have come within inches of hitting me as they too. slid on the black ice. Others were sailing by beeping and honking their horns like complete.. A$$'s. (Sorry.. but I didn't see it as a funny matter). I was scared to death.. mostly because of Layla's safety. I was panicked because no police showed up to put their lights on to caution other drivers. Just as the woman is telling me it will be at least an hour an AAA truck happened to drive by with a car already on it's flatbed. (AGAIN.. THANK YOU LORD) He got out and hooked the chains up to tow me out as fast as he could. He told me what to do as he towed me out. Yet, all of a sudden the car started to tip towards the left side. At this point, any calmness that I may have still had about me.. well.. I lost it.. I lost it all! I started screaming like a banchie for him to stop. It took a few screams but he finally heard me. (I am sure he thought I was insane by this point). NO way was I going to take the chance of the car tipping on the left side and Layla getting hurt. No way. I grabbed her out of the car and started up the ramp to where the traffic had now piled up because they couldn't get by. Slipping and sliding and holding Layla, I walked up to the first car...which had a car seat... (safe I thought).. I asked the gentleman if he would mind driving my car while the tow tried to get it out. He was so kind and offered to do it without a second thought. He put the heat on in the car for us to sit. I hesitated,, but thought what could possibly happen if the guy was in my car and we were in his. Plus it was freezing and Layla was cold. After a few tries, they got my car out. Once again, Layla and I were safely back on our way to Hasbro... (This is seriously not a lesson in not talking to strangers, but sometimes.. there are real good people in this world)

We got through the ER pretty quickly and got settled in a room. Layla was a trooper during the entire process and although inserting the IV was a bit dramatic for her, once it was in she calmed right down. It did of course help that they found her a Scooby Doo dvd. They did all the appropriate blood work and it all came back negative for any of the "bad" things associated with the Petechiae rash. (THANK YOU LORD... I am seeing a trend here.. the guy really takes care of us!) She was however really dehydrated so they started her on IV fluids. Within a few hours I saw a complete difference in her so I was very glad we had gone. After we were finally released I headed out to the Valet Booth to hand them my ticket. We waited outside a few and then moved into the waiting area as it was freezing out. After waiting at least 20 minutes for my car, the valet came in and told me that he was sorry... he tried repeatedly but my car wouldn't start. Now subconsciously.. I sort of had this thought in my head already that there was something wrong with my car after waiting so long. I mean, it was stuck in an icy snow bank.. why would it start? I laughed..literally at the valet. I swear he thought I was a loon.. but seriously, how much more could go wrong in one night? Yet, here he was thinking my battery was dead and here I was thinking... no buddy.. it's probably so much worse than that. He asked if I had someone to jump the battery. It was 3:00AM.. I did not. So he said I would have to sign a consent to have them do it and he called security to take us up to the car. Then he hands me "my" keys. Guess what... they were NOT my keys. I told him so and he said, "You don't drive a blue Mazda?" No sir, I do not. LOL ... Please could you go get MY car because I am about to explode in a fit of laughter after the events of this night and then you will have me admitted to RI Hospital.. for sure. Thankfully, my car was fine and I loaded the ravioli in and got home safety and without any more incident.

At different points in the evening, I swear I expected Ashton Kutcher to jump out at me and tell me I was being Punked! I will tell you that I find it all quite funny now, especially knowing that Layla's blood work came back fine. All in all things could have been so much worse and I know that we were being watched over from above. Thank you to all my angels up there. You certainly took care of us.

Layla is still not doing well however. She woke up this morning with her face all swollen and puffy. She was so not herself today and well I hate to say this.. but she was flat out wretched. I have never seen her this fussy. By mid afternoon I noticed her wheezing and decided I should take her in to the Pediatrician. Her asthma was definitely acting up so we are upping all of her inhalers and trying to keep her off steroids if we can. I can't imagine how horrible her mood will be if we do have to put her on them. I have to call the Dr. in the morning and let her know how our night went and make a decision from there. She also noticed her left ear was infected so we were suppose to get a Zpac for that.. but when Billy went to pick it up, the pharmacy had no record of it so it looks like we will be trying to get that in the morning as well. I ended up giving her a dose of Benadryl tonight because her eyes were getting very red and puffy and looked like they had hives on them. Do you think the child is sleeping yet? Nope.. the kid just defies all the odds. Needless to say, I had to cancel her ear tube surgery for tomorrow. There was no way she could go under anesthesia under these circumstances.

So that is my life for the past several days in a nutshell.. Hoping the next several days get a bit better!

Thanks again to my angels.. I love you! xoxoxo

Mama said there'd be days like this...

Does it seem as though every time I blog, my kids are sick? Hmmm maybe that is because my kids are sick ALL THE TIME! LOL Despite my loading them up with fruits, vegetables and vitamins... they somehow always seem to catch something and catch something often..sigh. Poor Cam has a nasty virus and has been exploding his diaper out every hour or so since yesterday. He started vomiting last night but thankfully that has subsided today. Yet, through it all he is still my darling, little, happy boy! God I love him so much. What a completely different experience to raise a son. He is so very good natured and much more advanced motor wise than my girls. He has already begun to crawl at 7 & 1/2 months! He has begun the Ma Ma and Da Da babble as well. AND he is the only one to have said MA MA first! Just saying! LOL


Miss Layla also has a taste of the bug. Her's seems to be more of a high fever and belly ache. She has spent most of the day on the couch watching SCOOBY DOO... Where are you! She hasn't eaten a meal since yesterday morning but is thankfully taking her special formula to keep her hydrated. This child is an utter joy. Her personality is second to none. She is quick witted, cute as a button and extremely disobedient lately... the last part we are trying to nip in the bud. It is sometimes so very difficult to reprimand her because as you are talking stern to her, she'll look you right in the face and say, "Mommy... you're fired!" The kid is a trip! The things that come out of her mouth are priceless. She came up to me yesterday all exasperated saying, "Mommy, it's a miracle! I found my baby doll!" Her verbiage is just hilarious. Thankfully she still says, "Hold you Mommy, hold you." So glad I still have that one! :) This little ravioli will be following her sister's suit and will be getting ear tubes put in on Wednesday. Hoping that this cuts down on the constant ear infections and the constant antibiotics. I wasn't sure what to do with her, but her doctor made some very good points. Due to her asthma and respiratory issues, she really needs to save her antibiotic treatments for when she has these breathing issues and infections. To be having her on all this antibiotics for ear infections will make her immune to them for when she really needs them for the more serious breathing issues. Made total sense to me! Praying that the tubes diminish the ear infections so we can get her back on her feet!


Miss Hannah banana meatball is growing like a weed! Seriously, if she falls asleep on the couch or in the car, I can't even carry her anymore! I have to wake her up! She is just so grown up that it really depresses me sometimes. There is no more "little girl" in her anymore. There's no more princess and fairy tales. She thinks she is a rock star. It kills me. No more flowy dresses and fancy shoes. It's all about the black leggins and rock star shirts. OHHH Mon Dieu! I am so brought right back to my own childhood and all the battles I would have with my mother over this very same isssue!!!! (and in my head I hear... " I hope your kids do to you, what you do to me.") For the most part, I let her be her own person. Within reason of course. She is doing tremendous in school and received a fantastic report card this quarter. Complete with an "Outstanding" in spelling! All that studying has got her 100% on every test! She is maturing so much in dance as well. I can't believe the difference a year has made. She is so much more focused and she has gotten so much stronger! I watch her gracefulness in awe and remember how very much I use to love dancing. (Although we do reserve time every week to groove on down and I bust a move with them on several occasions!) On the flip side.. she is growing even stronger in hockey. Her skating is unbelievable! I still shake my head at having a dancing, hockey player! LOL


Other than that, we have just been getting buried in snow, sleet & ice. Literally. I dont remember having a winter this cold and with as many storms as we have had. We are gearing up for another tomorrow. For the most part, I have found the snow covered earth very beautiful and peaceful. This last sleet/ice storm however.. I was not very fond of. Thinking I may be tiring of it all real soon.


We lost Pa Sutcliffe last week. He was 87 about to be 88. He was a true hero in my eyes. A gentleman to the core. An amazing American with so many wonderful attributes. His wake went on for longer than an hour after the calling hours ended. There were lines and lines of people waiting to pay their respects to him. This spoke volumes to me. He is so going to be missed. This was Pete's worst fear, that his grandfather would pass while he was serving our Country in Kuwait. I am so sorry he wasn't able to say good-bye the way he had wanted. I do know, that Pa is still surrounding us with his love and watching over us from above. He is a man that many could learn a thing or two from just by following his example. I plan to do just that!


In closing, I just wanted to share a little information that I received yesterday via a friend. (Thank you Allison!) There is a local family in Lincoln, RI that is in need of help. They are planning a fundraiser to raise funds to help their 12 year old son, Michael fight cancer. I have said this many times throughout this blog but I am about to say it again. I haven't had it easy with my children's health.. that is for sure. Especially with Hannah, when we almost lost her as an infant. But I got a second chance. God healed her for me and I will never, ever forget how truly blessed I am to have these three "healthy" kids. Ear infections can be fixed, viruses go away. Cancer is evil and rocks you to your very core. To hear of yet another child fighting this disease frustrates me to no end! I would be ignoring all the good Lord has given me, if I didn't choose to help. I'm asking that you do to. No amount is too small. A gift certificate, a donated service... anything at all will help. Please visit the link to learn more and keep this family in your prayers!


http://http//www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Support-Michael/180750448628582


Here are some pics of Miss Ravioli that we took for my friend Sarah's Cha Cha Louise clothing line... visit her site for some GORGEOUS handmade vintage clothing for little girls! http://www.chachalouise.com/