Help Pediatric Cancer Funding!

Please take a minute to sign this petition. This family, along with many others are hurting b/c they lost a child to cancer. There is no funding for Childhood Cancer Research! You have to sign up/create account to sign the petition, but it only takes a few minutes! Please and thank you. If you do sign it, pass it on!!

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/light-white-house-gold-month-september-honor-pediatric-cancer-fighters-and-bring-light-cause/syV6M6wX

Genetic Mutant...

Laney has been diagnosed with TRAPS. It is a genetic, Periodic Fever Syndrome. The Genetic Testing she was sent for, back in October came back w/ the results a few weeks ago.

When her Rheumatologist called and told me her results, he was surprised, as was I. All along, we thought, and were assuming she had PFAPA. This fits her symptoms just about perfectly. And on the positive side, it is not genetic and children usually grow out of it. If they do not grow out of it, symptoms lessen and there are no side effects, whatsoever. Her Dr. was actually going to skip the genetic testing b/c he felt so sure this is what she has. You need insurance approval to get genetic testing done. Thank God her insurance (thank you CHIP) approved it and we were able to get the entire panel of tests done, instead of just two or 3. (There are 7 periodic fevers).

It was hard to hear that she had this genetic mutation. If you search TRAPS, online (which I was told not to do), it sounds scary. Her Dr reassured me that she has a 'mild' case of it. Which, I am assuming means her mutations can show that. She should not develop amyloidosis and her symptoms should lessen as she gets older. I hope this is the case. No one wants to hear there is something wrong with their child. And this was difficult for me to face. Obviously, Dr.'s can be wrong. They are only human. And I am a bit of a pessimist (esp when it comes to my children's health). I always think the worst and blow it out of proportion. I know there are parents out there that are dealing with a child that has an illness way worse that what Laney has. I feel selfish for getting upset about Laney's DX. Honestly, I can't help it. I (we all do) just want my kids to grow up and have a happy, healthy life.

On a different note, as soon as I got off the phone w/ Dr. G (Laney's Rheumatologist) I started blaming Matt for her 'mutation.'  It is Autosomal Dominant, which means only one parent has to have the 'mutation' for the child to get it. After reading more into it, they said there have been cases where no family members have the mutation and a child still has it. It usually occurs at conception. Also, there are people who have the mutation and have never had one symptom of the disease. Genetics are weird. And go figure, Laney has a mutant gene. Only Her! ha! ;)

Dentist

We took the girls to the dentist yesterday. They have never been to this dentist before but luckily, it turned out to be a good experience. I don't know about you, but it was hard for me to find a dentist for my kids, that we all liked. This place was nice, simple and not hard to get to. We also didn't wait forever in the waiting room and they cleaned their teeth pretty fast...which makes it a lot easier for the kids to not be so nervous when they have to go back.

Kayli needs braces. Shocker!! lol We have an appt. in March, for her to see an orthodontist for a consultation. The dentist told me that Kayli's over-bite is over-pronounced. Which is a nice way of saying, 'your daughter has some major buck teeth...her grill needs mad help!'

Neither of them had cavities. So that is awesome!

Kayli

My kids are not perfect by any means. They get punished a lot. But we praise them a lot too, when praise is what they deserve...

Each month, starting after the 1st marking period, 2 kids from each class and each grade win the Wall of Fame, for some reason or another. Last month, we received a note in Kayli's folder saying she was selected for the 'Wall of Fame' for the month of Nov. It was a surprise for Kayli. We were not to tell her anything about it. The day of the assembly, Laney, Matt and I were sitting in the bleachers at Wrightsville Elem. School, waiting to see our baby girl win the award.

Their teacher calls them up to get their certificate and tells everyone why this child is getting the award this month. Kayli won hers because she is respectful to others. Her teacher said, Kayli is so easy to get along with, is always smiling and happy. Helps other kids out when they are having trouble. And she can count on Kayli to always get the work done. My eyes filled with tears as I heard what the teacher was saying and as I watched Kayli walk up to get her award. Her little fists were clenched from excitement and she had a huge smile on her face. I was (am) so proud of Kayli. I know it is not a huge deal. It is just a 2nd grade award. But for an 8 year old to win a 'respect' award, is something in my book. Esp. when that child has a mom like me...not too sensitive, usually selfish and swears like a sailor.

I hope Kayli always has pride in her heart. I hope she grows up to be un-like me. She is so amazing and I love her to pieces.

Well, well, well...

So, guess what I did today? I went to the gym. I did 45 mins of cardio and burned about 700 calories. What? What? I lifted weights, too and did sit ups. I came home and noticed how damn good I looked, after doing all that. Ha! NOT!

















Anyway, after the gym I went to McDonalds for a coffee. I love their coffee, so much! When I got home, I sat and watched Laney play the Wii, while I drank my coffee. Laney told me, "Look mom at dis game. Jus look at dis. Imma real gangsta ninja. For real...a life one." She was playing Scooby-Doo and did pretty well. I was impressed.

 After lunch, we headed over to a friend's house for a playdate. Ever since Laney started pre-school she and Brecia have been really good friends. Brecia is Laney's first 'friend'...a friend that she made on her own, away from mom/dad/Kayli. I love the way they play and their convos they have. They have some deep conversations, let me tell you!! ha! Brecia's mom, Jess, is pretty cool too. I like talking to her. We get along well and have a lot in common. Better than going to a playdate and not being able to stand the mom or dad. :)

Today was a productive day. I am glad I went to the gym b/c not one time did I get pissed off today. I am serious when I say that exercising makes you a happier person!

Slacker

I have been totally slacking in going to the gym, lately. It started last year when Kayli was off of school for Christmas break. I promised I'd start after the New Year (2011). I went here and there, but not near as much as I did in 2010. I stay the same weight no matter what I do. I am destined to be festively plump. I mean, we all know skinny is overrated. I think I weighed my lowest, in my very early 20's, when I was 120 lbs. And even then, I thought I was fat. I looks at pictures of myself from back then and I cannot believe I thought I was fat. Whatever, being 'fat' or not, isn't really the point. When I was going to the gym on a daily basis, I was happier and had more energy. "Exercise builds endorphins. Endorphins make people happy. Happy people do not kill their husbands." That is so true!  But, guess what? I had all my gym stuff out and ready to put on this morning. I was even up at a good time to get the girls ready for school and have them there, on time. Did I go to the gym? Nope! I had my workout clothing on, breakfast ate and decided I didn't feel like going. How bogus am I?! I'd rather sit on my fat a$$, drinking coffee, while watching Regis and Kelly. Tomorrow I am planning on going to take Zumba. Hopefully, I can get out of this funk, b/c I hate being lazy.

20 months have passed...

I don't know why I stopped blogging. Too busy? Bored with it, maybe? Who knows? Sometimes I have nothing to say or nothing that is worth writing about, anyway. This post may even be my only post for a long while...I just don't know. :)

Since I blogged last, many thing have happened. I will share some with you, my 2 or 3 readers...

Matt is currently unemployed. It is so wonderful spending time with him. Every single minute of every single day...such a beautiful thing. (note the sarcasm). I think unemployment is 'code' for 'lets play Xbox all day long.' I don't know, I could be wrong?!

Laney has been diagnosed with PFAPA. I discussed this in my older posts...I dont want to explain what it is, again. If you want, you can Goggle it. If you don't want to, I don't care. It is not life threatening and she should grow out of it.

My dad was in the hospital again, in September of 2011. His kidney's were failing. Don't know why, though. The Dr.s do not know either. Doug is a medical mystery. The only man that can go to the hospital on his death bed. Not only once, but 2 times in the past 2 years. And yet, he recovers fully and goes on living his life as if nothing ever happened. Weird!

Laney has been going to preschool. She started in September 2010. She is currently in her 2nd year of PS and is doing awesome. Laney makes me proud. She is very different than Kayli. Not too sensitive, unless being told, "no." Her drama is at a minimum, usually. I mean, she is a girl, so of course there is drama. She says the silliest, weirdest things, that only a 'Laney brain' could come up with. I love her to pieces and I am dreading the fact, that she is my youngest and starting Kdg in the fall. I love Laney's hugs and kisses and when she wants to cuddle with me. She is so awesome, sweet and a wonderful little sister. She tries so hard to be like Kayli, and although she may never admit this, I know she looks up to her big sis. She loves playing the Wii and is so good at all of the games! She is perfect from head to toe (in my eyes) and I could not live without my little Laney 'Loo.'

Kayli is in 2nd grade. She is a fabulous, awesome, dramatic, talkative child. She is so caring for a kid. Her heart is genuine. And I cannot begin to say, how proud I am to be her mom. Yes, she gets on my last nerve. Bugs the shit out of me, a lot of the time. But I could not ask for a better child. I am her mother and that is why she gets on my nerves, so much. But I know, she is 110% pure awesome-sauce when in school, or any place, other than home with me. She is a great big sis to Laney. She always tries her best at everything and usually succeeds. She is not too good at video games, but is excellent at art and reading/writing. Kayli is the one who made me a mama and to me, there is no better gift. I <3 both of my girls too much to explain. They are my world and I know they think I am pretty cool, too!

We got another kitty. She was born in March of 2011. We got her in May of 2011. Her name is Princess Bubblegum. She is a spaz. She is cute and fluffy and got so big, so fast!! This brings our kitty total to 3. Yes, I know a lot of people do not like cats. But I don't care, because I do. If I could, I'd have like 20, b/c there are so many that need homes!