Haircut. Day Two.
Yes, I am obsessive--how did you NOT know that???
I admit, when Vinny said to me last night before bed, "I liked your hair long because it was so beautiful..." I got the cutter's remorse. Then, I remembered that he is four. And thinks long hair means you're (literally) a princess. So, now his Mommy is just a chick with really short hair and that likely bothers him!!!
It is very hard to shake the need to have long hair. And yet, I still love it. I don't know if I will always keep it THIS short, but I am glad I did it.
I don't know if it's turning forty, which doesn't bother me, or just feeling like I've been in a slump for awhile, but change is good, almost always!
And no, I will not blog every day about "the hair." I cut it this way so I would have one less thing to worry about!
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On a non-hair note...
Vinny had a weird thing going on with one of his...well, balls! I noticed that it was purple--the upside to being naked all the time is that if something is wrong, it can be easily spotted! We kept an eye on it and it wasn't bothering him. It appeared to have a some kind of bite, and over the course of about four days, it went from purple to blue (blue ball!!!) to yellow--a bruise. Here's what's funny: I googled "four year old with swollen purple testicle" and found ALL KINDS of strange crap!! I do not recommend googling anything of the sort!! 
Then, without going into the sordid details, he ended up with a hot water burn on his lip and chin. It's been a rough week for poor Vincent!
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Great women throughout history have said, "My hair will no longer control and define me!!!!" 

I give you:
      Mia Farrow              

   

Jean Seberg


Lynda Jewell/Mum/Nana











Even the newest of women are saying "Hell, no!" and chopping it off:

 

This is my personal fave (sorry, Mum!)

I have had a love-hate hair relationship for YEARS. 
After Vinny was born, I started noticing a change in my hair: color, texture, etc. It became a constant source of irritation. And irritation is not good.
So... after months of research and more discussion than any husband deserves to suffer through, I cut it off!
Thanks to Molly, my AWESOME hair gal!!!!! And thanks to my mother, who listened to me debate it over and over...you get the picture!

I LOVE IT!!

I actually don't care if YOU like it...not my problem! 

I LOVE IT! 

Have I told you much I LOVE IT???!!!!

Therapy Day One
Met with Lovie's PT and service coordinator today. So...no surprise, she is delayed in all five areas. HOWEVER, our first goal is to have her sitting up with minimal support from me, in six months!! It is so hard to imagine that, but i am game if they are!
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Tomorrow is "H-Day". Big haircut day for me. After 20 years of mostly long hair, I am saying good bye. Goodbye to the pony tail...the lack of style...the headaches (literally).
Hello something cute and sassy (fingers crossed!)! If you know me well, you know that I have not entered into this decision lightly. Much research has gone into my decision--thank you, Mum! I know it is not a cure for poverty or hunger, but it is a big deal to me. Perhaps now I will take the time that I spent (not really, but for arguments sake...) and pour that into curing poverty and hunger--win win!! See? I turned a narcissistic moment into a world-changing event!
Stay tuned...

Last day...
Jason, or as I like to call him, "My Nanny", returns to work tomorrow. Boo Hoo!! The kids and I will mope around for a few hours and then realize, wait--we are still here and can swim!
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I have taken a teeny amount of flack (OK--only one person, but still), about why I have cut back on things so much. I tried to explain that our neurologist said that when Lovie sleeps, she needs to stay asleep. No waking her up if we can help it. Sleep deprivation leads to more seizures. We don't want more seizures. Duh. (And why is seizures not "i-before-e-except-after-c"??). 
Most days, like today, she doesn't wake up until after 10:00. 
So...for right now, when we have so many appointments and Lovie-related things to do in these early days, a little understanding would be appreciated. If I am not there, it is because it is what is best for her. 
Speaking of...MRI and ABT in September--woohoo!
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Vinny: "I want to go to pool college." (inspired by all our Olympic swimming viewing!)
George: "Well, I want to go to organ pipe college...is there organ pipe college??"

For my family...
O Canada!

What?? Kids?? What kids?? I thought YOU were watching the kids...stop looking at F or D videos and watch the kids!!!!!

Now that our computer is fixed after not having sound for a whole year (!!!!), I can once again enjoy my Funny or Die emails...

This one is funny but with a pretty darn good message!!

I suppose I should caution against the "bad words" for those who are easily offended!

Report on Lovie: She had a clear upper GI test yesterday. Everything looked good and is working fine. Yay!
Swallow study will not be until September. We will have EEG reports in a week which will show if she is having seizures all the time or not. 
And now, back to the Olympics!!

We are officially out of Boy Scouts. THIS email from our pack leader is why:

Dear Pack ##:

As you know, the Scouts organizations have received a lot of supports from Chick-Fil-A company in many ways!

Chick-Fil-A company and their franchises are under attack from the gay and lesbian supporters for their stand in supporting the basic family tradition of marriage between man and woman! Several cities and politicians are under pressure to ban Chick-Fil-A from operaing their business (Boston, Chicago, San Francisco...)

To response to this wave of attack, Gov. Huckabee proposes August 1, 2012 a National Chick-Fil-A Day to show our support to what we believe!

If you believe this is a right thing to do, help to make a difference on August 1, 2012 (next Wednesday) by just simply visiting a Chick-Fil-A
store and purchase something, small or large, to show our support!

Thanks! (Guess what we will have for dinner, Wednesday?)

For those who will most definitely accuse us of brainwashing our children...I guess we are.  But I ask you: Is it better to brainwash them to LOVE each other unconditionally and without judgement, or should we brainwash them the way the conservative Christians in this country do--with hatred, judgement and conditions? 

I stand firm that we are raising loving, open-minded kids who will someday grow to be exceptional adults. 
Jason and I are sick about this--we felt that we had found a group of loving individuals to lead our boys and provide some fun! Good thing we still have the Girl Scouts!

And yes, our children DO understand our reasons--we are not like others who just say, "because that's the way it is." We explain it and make sure that on their level, they have some understanding of the issues they are standing up for. How else do you raise your children to understand things? Ignorance is NOT an option.

You have two choices: 

1. Be kind and loving. 

2. Or not. 

We choose the first.

FYI...for those of you are vehemently homophobic, read this Savage article!

Happy 8th Birthday, Mimi!

Love.This.Girl.

Our neighbor who is a local school "media specialist" (Librarian!), happened to see us at George's cardiologist office the other day--our sons both see the doctor there--and she had extra Six Flag tickets! We weren't planning on going this year, as it is well over $200 for our family. Not something we will budget in every year!! So...yesterday was our only full, free day and after Lovie's eye appointment, we headed out to the park!! 8 solid hours of FUN! Everyone rode some type of roller coaster--Natan got shut out of some of the ones he wanted due to his height--I love that he loves to ride with Jason! Vinny is our up-and-coming coaster dude!

We finished our day off at The Varsity at 10:30 pm. FUN!!!!!

Some pics:

 What is a theme park without character pictures??

Had to ditch Lovie in the next one because she is getting heavy to hold!

 Dahlonega Mine Train...Jason is behind them!

 We LOVE the Carousel--it was hand-carved in 1908!

Lovie's first ride!

 The Great American Scream Machine! Natan & Jason!

 Bumper Cars= Awesomeness

 George and I sat out the Wheelie! 

George: "No way! I am TOO scared!"

Everyone else rode but I could only get this picture!

 Once again earned my "Best Mom" award (their words, not mine!) by riding the Thunder River Rapids three consecutive times and getting SOAKED--they finally kicked us off because the park was closing!

Best.Day.Ever.

This is the newest addition, Domino--I realized I hadn't posted him lately on my blog!

Here is the scoop:
He was on death row. 
The Gwinnett County Sherriff started a program a few years ago to rescue animals in high kill shelters (umm...pretty much all over GA), and place them with inmates in the county jail who had earned it. I think it's a GREAT program.
Domino is about a year old, so still eating stuff--his poop is very colorful! BUT...he is well trained and LOVES to play catch and chase--just what the kids ordered! You have to put up with being knocked over sometimes--he is fast and doesn't always stop! We love him...and we all agreed that he will definitely pass the "Nana Test"! Although she is partial to Reggie!
He is obviously a mixed breed--most likely Australian Shepherd (hence the serious herding nature), Lab, perhaps a touch of Boxer (yay!), and some Pit. Wait--don't panic. The bit of Pit Bull is what mellows his hyper nature out. Pit Bulls were always called "nanny dogs" because they were so gentle and nurturing to children. I don't think Pits have changed...I think owners have done serious damage to their breed. 
It irritates me when people's dogs get out and are "looking for action" meaning lazy, ignorant owners have neglected to spay or neuter. The reason we have so many high kill shelters here is due to lack of spay/neuter. There are even free and low cost clinics--NO EXCUSE!!!! We took our cat, Timbit, to a mobile clinic last year and only paid $15 to have her spayed. Do you know what these shelters do? They put all the animals in one room and gas them. 
Two ways to stop this, at least in Georgia: stop dog breeders and force people to rescue. SPAY/NEUTER!!!! And is it me, or does Canada not have this problem? Jason has noticed that we never see any stays running around. Off the hook again, Canada--true north, smart and free.
We are the proud parents of two rescue dogs and a rescue cat--I can't imagine seeing any of them gassed to death. I wonder if you can rescue fish...

Lovie Update:
1. ENT: Her ears work, but they have to do an "Auditory Brain-Stem Test" to see if her brain is receiving/processing the sound. 
2. GI: Kids with CP have difficulty with digestive issues--having a swallow study done to see if she has the mechanism. Have her on a specific caloric diet to keep her fed but not to get fat. Agreed with dietitian that an immobile obese child is not OK. 
We've had over a year to prepare ourselves for Lovie's medical situation and it is still very hard to comprehend. I can't imagine giving birth and discovering all these needs with no preparation. It's that story about taking a trip to Italy but getting off the plane in Holland. Different journey, but turns out to be surprising and just as beautiful. 
****************
Saw George's cardiologist. No changes. He would like to wait until post-puberty to do more interventions. Phew...
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Our lovely neighbor gave us free Six Flags tickets today--heading there tomorrow after Lovie's ophthalmologist appointment!!

Happy Birthday to Jason! The kids and I made him breakfast, homemade cards, and now we get to listen to him playing Rachmaninoff. Great day all round! Surprised him with Celeste's cake tonight (had one hunk saved in the freezer!!).

Celebrations began on Monday with Tanta & Papa!

 Peachtree Diner in Roswell...the kids thought it was pretty fancy!!

 Bring Your Own Cupcakes! We also had lemon Meringue tarts that I made but did not take a picture of--they were DELISH!!!

 Let us eat Lettuce--wedge!

 Papa above and Tanta below holding Miss Lovie!

 Since we were right around the corner, we took the kids to see Bonnie's grave. They were very interested and respectful, and Vinny even found some flowers to give her (on top of the perpetual ones that we originally paid for twelve years ago!). They all said, "Bye, Ma Bonnie..." as we left. She would have loved them...

I have never understood the whole "visit the grave" thing. But, being there, reading the dates and names of other people, the kids learned a little about life and death. And about making every moment count. And they connected just a little to a Memaw they'll never know.

Bonnie and Bill always marked birthdays--I remember one of my birthdays when Jason had a rehearsal so they took me to breakfast...just me! Bonnie said, "Come on, daughter! We're celebrating!!" And we did!

 Today--Breakfast...

and dinner! 

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Lovie update: saw the Neurologist on Monday. he is basically the only person I will defer to on matters of the brain. He is a bit of an expert! He ordered an EEG and MRI, but stated that her brain damage is "global" versus what was reported on her Ethiopian CT report. We meet with her physical therapist in August to evaluate her and then start in-home therapy!!!! Her damage may be more extensive than we thought, but we'll work on it anyway! Hope springs eternal! After the EEG, he will start her on seizure medication for Epilepsy, which he said is a common condition. 

********

What's up for the next couple of weeks?? 
Monday--ENT to test hearing (keep your fingers crossed!) followed by cardiologist appt. for George.
Thursday--Ophthalmology
Friday--Gastroenterology
Monday next--Mimi's party followed by gymnastics
Tuesday--leave for Nova Scotia!!!!!!!!!

So...Lovie had a seizure last night during dinner. The kids were very concerned, as was I, as we watched it happen. We don't know if it's her first or hundredth...saw the pediatrician this morning who helped tons!
As a result, we now have a neurology appointment THIS MONDAY!!! Finally!
The following week we see the ear doc, followed by gastro followed by eye. Phew!

Some things I've been meaning to write...

Vinny sitting in Grandma Stinny's living room, picking his nose:
"My nose is my breakfast..."
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Wish I could quote Jason at the border crossing coming home...really one that is told better in person! Needless to say, he won't be in the driver's seat for that anymore!!!
******
Mimi: "I guess I'll just be a doctor so I can help people like Lovie..."
And yes, it's OK with us if she JUST wants to be a doctor!!
******
Natan, after I walked outside to go swimming in my new two-piece (purchased for at-home-in front-of-family-only use, and because it only cost twelve dollars: "You're a sexy beast..." (a movie quote we say all the time for any reason at all--so he may have been trying to tell me to put my fat ass back the house!!)
*****
George: "Mama...what happens when the red sun comes?"
Me: "Well, the end of earth will happen slowly, I guess, but that's not for a LONGGGGG time."
George: "Oh, I know I'll be dead--I just wanted to know!"


Happy Wednesday!

"In lieu of a card..." (Honestly--we bought one BEFORE the trip, and can't find it.)
Nana's Birthday Card

Here is a clip from the Friday before we adopted Domino--we had already planned on adopting him and didn't see this until afterward. This program takes "Last Chance" dogs who are going to be euthanized and places them with deserving inmates in the Gwinnett County Jail. Domino lived in the cell with his handler who trained him (very well!), fed him, groomed him, etc. He is considerably more hyped up than Reggie, but let's face it. Reggie isn't exactly livening up the joint! We love 'em both! The kids particularly love that he plays with them, but Timbit the Cat--not so much!! So far everyone is living copacetically (I had to make that word up because I love using it!). I'll update more in a week!!
Domino!

OK. What a trip home! In a nutshell:

And we're off...we made it onto I-75 at midnight!

This is what 15 years of marriage looks like!!

 Backseat antics! 

Lovie is SOexcited!!

 

Above: Treats to keep the driver awake!

Below: Our anniversary lunch at the BK Steakhouse!
Um, yes...it was GOOD!!!!

Above: Taking a break at the Michigan Welcome Center.

Below: May Flies! gross but necessary...and George found out that they crack when you touch them!!! Ewww....

Bridge to Canada!! Woo Hoo!!

 Ahh...the ACTUAL bridge to Canada!

As soon as we crossed the border, George got under his 

blanket stating, "We're in Canada...it's cold." It was in the mid 70s!!

Tim Horton's! We didn't make as many stops 

here as usual this time, so every Timbit counted!

 

Thoroughly enjoyed all the windmills on our way from Windsor. The kids yelled, "WINDMILL!" at every one, along with shouting, "Maple Leafs flag!" at every Canadian flag they saw. There were many.


It all became increasingly too much for Vinny...

Waiting to unload at the Best Western in Cobourg (now referred to by 
the kids as the "Best West"). This picture is at 8 pm, after 18 hours of driving--they are the best!!!

A strange sight in our midst...the rarely seen glass of wine. (Yes, this will surprise folks that I knew way long back...!)
But a welcome surprise from Jason to me! It tasted even better poolside...

 Our new goggles!! Or what I refer to 
as, "Pictures I will use to blackmail my kids later on in their lives!"

 Above: Relaxing in the hot tub
Below: At last--the dumpers!!!!!!

Ahhh...nothing better than a dip and a Timmies! 

(The next morning, back in the dumpers!)

Great Grandma Stinny gets the stamp of approval from Natan!

 One of many lovely meals at Grandma's...complete with her good china!

Nomeal is complete without (real) tea in a cup and saucer...

 We had a photo session with Jillian Bickle Photography--SUPER nice 
and we can't wait to see the pictures!

Annual group photo!

 Had a great evening at Karen & Rick's--met some new friends!!

Cobourg Beach

Had a great visit (well, we think so--they may not agree after the chaos!!!) with the Gaymans...and then my cousin's wife had twins the next morning!!

 

Another annual--Auntie Gail, I can't find the other one!!

Sharon & Lovie

On the way home, we stopped for a GREAT visit with my friends from Albert College (9th & 10th grade), Asha and her family--it was like no time had passed in the almost 20 years that sadly have gone by!


And yes...no trip home is complete without some Swiss Chalet!!

 Lovie's first fine dining experience!

Father's Day breakfast...after driving all night!

We took a detour in Kentucky at the Cumberland Falls State Park--beautiful!

 For history buffs...this is where Daniel Boone blazed his way through in the 1700s--this is part of the Cumberland Gap. 

  Even Reggie enjoyed this side trip!

Natan helping out with Lovie at one of many rest stops.

We rednecked up at THIS store--we are ready for some fun on the fourth!