72 Hour Kits - Let's Do It!

I have received a lot of questions and/or feedback regarding the 72 hour kits that I recently put together. So let's all get together for a fun night and talk about it! Please feel free to share any knowledge you may have! See you there!!

The Time Has Come

For our family blog to go private! If you would like to keep updated and viewing it please leave a comment with your e-mail address. Thanks!

Frustration

Oh man. Where to begin... So Mason has been on this medication that both Lonnie and I were okay with, not excited about but okay nonetheless. We liked it because it is in his system and out within about 3-6 hours. So we were giving it to him in the morning after breakfast so he would be good for school. Then by the time he got home it was out of his system. No big deal we are used to it. We had his annual IEP meeting last week and everyone that works with him said that they had seen tremendous differences (in a positive way) since he started this medication. Awesome! We had an appointment with Dr. K on Wednesday and I told her that at home we really haven't seen a difference the very few times we've given it to him prior to big events that we know would be difficult and/or overstimulating to him, but that his teacher and therapists all agreed that it is helping him at school. I also explained that he was not given any medication last week because of spring break and he simply didn't need it. I did advise her that he has problems going to sleep but once he is asleep he sleeps great. So she writes a new prescription for a medication that will last 10-12 hours and a sleep medication that will help him go to sleep and will be out of his system within 3 hours. So on Wednesday night we gave him 1/2 of the sleep medication. He was asleep within 20 minutes...a miracle drug! or so we thought. He woke up hysterical at 11:00 and was wacked out. He was saying that there were monsters in his room (which he never does), it was too dark in his room, etc. So needless to say Wednesday was a rough night. Yesterday morning I gave him his new medication. I didn't really notice anything different with his behaviors during the time he was home. Mason was asleep when I got home last night at about 8:20ish which is unusual for him. Lonnie went to work and I went to bed about 10:00. At 11:30 I woke up to Mason talking, the hall lights on, his bedroom light on, and all of his shutters open. So I went in and asked what was going on he wanted a hug and a kiss. Alright. Done. I turned everything off and closed his shutters and said good night. At 2:30 I woke up to him screaming and all the lights on again with the shutters open. What the heck?! Again, he wanted a hug and a kiss. Lights out, shutter shut...good night. 4:30 same darn thing. This time I took Saige out of his room and locked his door. For about an hour and a half all I've heard is kicking, grunting, and screaming. How the others sleep through this I do not know. They are blessed.

So long story short Mason will NOT be receiving any medications today. I WILL be calling Dr. K's office and saying I DON'T THINK SO! We are moving backwards vs. forwards. I am so frustrated with everything. We are also trying to figure out the school thing. As it stands I do not want what the school is wanting to do right now. I still need to go down to the school and observe the classroom they want to put him in. WHY? Why is this so difficult? Why don't others, especially educators who supposedly love children, truly care about our children? Why haven't I received an answer to our prayers yet? Why didn't it dawn on me that hello the medication was working and if it's not broke don't fix it? All I know right now is that I am not happy with the way things are going and some phone calls will be made today. Also, I'm pretty sure that at least one Temple trip and fasting is in order! It is so difficult to sit back and watch your child go through this. And I'm afraid that this is just the beginning. I am so nervous and scared about the whole school thing. Which school to put him in, what type of classroom to put him in, how's his teacher going to be, how are the therapists going to be, is he going to be academically challenged? So many questions with no answers right now. Is it going to be like this every school year? Wow. This is going to be such a long road. I know that it is completely worth everything though. My child deserves to have the same quality of life, education, and opportunities afforded to him as any other child and you can bet that this momma will not just sit around and not take action. So here's to making a lot of phone calls today and hoping for some answers soon!

Pure Joy...

As many of you know this week is Spring Break and I must say that I have had soo much fun with my children! I've tried to do something with them everyday. I am so blessed to have such amazing children! They are so cute and truly are children of God. They amaze me with their questions about Heavenly Father and the Gospel. Mr. Mason talks about his mission almost everyday. He always tells us that he wants to go to the jungle and we have told him that maybe he will get to go there on his mission. Anyhow, I told him that he has to wait until he is 19 and he counted to 19 and said see I did it. Oh Mason how I love you! Michelle has been such the big sister lately and so helpful! She truly has such a pure heart and tries to do what is good. Saige is getting so big! :( She follows Michelle around and tries to be just like her. She is now randomly saying "your a bunda". (which in portuguese is butt) Great! It is cute though! And Gage is just so dang crazy. He is such a momma's boy and I love it. What can I say I truly am so blessed everyday that I get with these angels!

Our Weekend In a Nutshell

This weekend was a crazy, fun, long, and beautiful one! Lonnie's brother got married on Saturday and I shot his cousin's engagement while they were in town for the wedding. So my little break from photography has officially come to an end. It has been fun to photograph and edit again! Although, I am still not ready to leap back into this full time it was a nice and welcomed change. Also, we should be hearing back from the bank on the new home within 2-3 weeks! Crazy but exciting times!

Just for Ernie!

My brother-in-law, Brent had such a beautiful wedding yesterday. Here is just one quick picture from his and Melissa's special day! I'll share more later!

Read on ONLY if you promise....

to not laugh! So last night I joined up with my mother and sister for a pink party for Mary Kay. When we arrived there were probably about 50 gals there and a lot of consultants. Anyhow so here we are sitting listening to this gal tell us her story on how she was introduced to the product and her story. The entire time I was thinking this is not my cup of tea. I was bored out of my mind and freezing. Anyhow they continued on with their little program and they had us do an experiment on the top of one of our hands. First we used the 3 in 1 cleanser, then the microdermabrasion, the moisturizer, and then they came around and put a small amount of foundation on the top of each hand and had us rub it in to compare both hands. Oh my gosh! I was disgusted at the top of my hand that did not receive this little treatment. Suddenly I was interested!

If you know me at all you know that I am not into makeup or all of that girly stuff. Sorry, I'm just not. However, when I looked at these women who were using these products that were older than me, I'd say in their 30's, 40's, and 50's their skin looked great! So something is working for them. I know that I have spent countless hours in the sun growing up and was not the best at protecting my skin. Long story short I figured that now is the time to do something about the damage I have done and to help prevent further damage. And hey if these products worked for several women why not me. And Mary Kay has been around forever! So, I decided that if I am going to use these great products day in and day out and spend money, you all know how cheap I am...I have no problem admitting it :), then I needed to get the best deal possible. So I signed up to be a consultant. Now I can enjoy these products, take care of my skin, get a great deal on the products, share them with you, and pass on some savings to you as well!

Yes, I know it is crazy to say that I am a consultant for Mary Kay! (REMEMBER--YOU promised not to laugh!) It sounds so girly to me... Anyhow, I will keep you posted on how well the products work for me and in the meantime if you or someone you know would like to see the demonstration that got me hooked or simply would like to order product feel free to let me know!

School....

So Mason and Michelle will be starting Kindergarten in a couple of months. YIKES. I really have been trying to do my homework with this fun stuff. I am like 99.99% sure that I want to homeschool them. Thanks to an awesome friend, Courtney, I have really learned a lot and have found some great books. I am looking forward to attending the convention at the end of July! We will be doing a "test" run to see how things go over the summer. There is a plan B...promise!

If You Want One Let Me Know...and A Few Pics

I have compiled a spreadsheet comparing prices at Sam's Club, Honeyville Farms, Costco, and Wal Mart. If you would like a copy of it please just leave your e-mail or send me an e-mail at reflectivephoto@yahoo.com and I will happily send it over. Thanks to Courtney for helping out with Costco and Wal Mart!

Here is a link of some pictures of the kids today! Thanks Teri! :)

If You Want One Let Me Know

I have compiled a spreadsheet comparing prices at Sam's Club, Honeyville Farms, Costco, and Wal Mart. If you would like a copy of it please just leave your e-mail or send me an e-mail at reflectivephoto@yahoo.com and I will happily send it over. Thanks to Courtney for helping out with Costco and Wal Mart!