Finally OVER!!!

The hustle & bustle of the holidays are OVER! I'm so damn happy too! I love the season when everyone is so nice and willing to help those who are needy, but the race to see/purchase the most hippest items or the most wanted toys for their little ones just disgusts me! Then you have to figure out what the person on your list wants/needs. You only have so many ideas and you share those with family and then you have NO more ideas! How do you purchase something for someone who has everything? That's the hard part!

Next is the people who you DO send something for... and then they don't even CALL you to tell you they got the gift. You learn through someone else they did. What hurts is that you want to be thanked for your thoughtfulness. Okay so I like to give, but I also liked to be thanked. Nothing is wrong with that! I give, not to receive...but to be thanked is nice :)

Overall, I would say this is the best Christmas our family has had. Both children are/were into opening gifts... Okay so Rheanna was more into playing with what her brother opened, but at least she enjoyed some part of Christmas! The play kitchen & shopping cart are HUGE hits here! Rheanna is just now getting into dolls and imaginary play (more advanced than boys I guess) than Aryan was at this age. Aryan loved the Fisher-Price GeoAir High Flyin' Airport . I was not wanting to get that for him as he has so many tracks and trains already, but it seemed to work solo. He doesn't know it has expansions to it. 

Our Christmas between hubby and I was fantastic! I really enjoyed the gifts I got this year. I guess it's because I gave him an extensive list! He didn't have to think much. I even got something that was totally surprising to me! An Ipod Nano in PINK! Strangely though, it already has Hindi songs on it! Haha! I love it though! He did very well!

Our Christmas tree is coming down TOMORROW! I'm tired of having to fix ornaments. We've got about 4 to glue back together thanks to Rheanna's little fingers all over the tree. The ornaments have slowly migrated up to the top or to the back. Glad I didn't put all the ornaments up this year! Rheanna is a fast little girl, it's hard to keep up with her and her mischievous ways! We know when she's quiet she's into something. Usually the tree or the tissues!

You know, It's REALLY bothering me that this family friend of ours... who saw me born and I adore as an aunt and a very close friend to our entire family... hasn't called us to tell us thank you, or that they've received the gift. I'm at a loss as to what to do too. If I had my way, I'd probably NEVER send gifts again. This isn't the first time though. I'd send gifts to the kids that she has and I never hear from them. Teach your children to be grateful for what they have.  ~ Which reminds me, I need to have Aryan call everyone and thank them! ~ Okay, I had to get that off my chest. Maybe now I can go to sleep without thinking about this situation. 

Okay, I have a 3 year-old who is up way past his bedtime and I need to get him to bed. Off to read a book!

~ Brandi ~

Doing Our Civic Duty!

Today, my family and I all went to the polls! That included my husband, son and daughter. We waited about 30 minutes and took about 2 minutes to vote. Our voting precinct only had 7 machines as one was broken. Seriously at a HUGE election like this they'd have MORE machines to allow people to vote. I think that's not being very prepared.

Also, to make the voting a little more difficult; children are out of school. I understand they should go with their parents to "see the voting process in action," but it makes it a little difficult to control the children with LONG lines. So what my friends and I have done is take turns going to the polls. We know what kids are definitely not going to stand still and wait in lines, so we make arrangements to watch each other's children. So I've got another 2 1/2 year old and a 2.5 month old coming to the house. Our friend Jodie took on the other 3 year old sibling of the baby (2.5 month old) as she already has a 4 month old at her house. So she has 3 kids and I have 4. Luckily the baby showed up sleeping :) :) :)

Okay, I think it's time to make lunch for the kids. At least it'd be time for lunch when I'm done making it.

Hope you take the time to get out and vote. I don't care for who...just go vote! If you don't vote, you can't complain about the way things are ran in the country. At least you got to voice your opinion!

~ Brandi ~

Night Before Elections

Seriously, don't people have something else better to do?

'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!

I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys

They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink

He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!

' On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!

So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!

A radical point of view

I thought this was just a last attempt to persuade people's minds into voting against Obama. I do not endorse EITHER one but thought this was a little funny as some things have been PROVEN wrong in it!


Here is the link: http://oldbluewebdesigns.com/USSA.htm

Political Ramble

Okay so this election crap is almost over. As I go through my "Snail" mail today and see the NUMEROUS ads for Senate, Congress & Presidental election, I can't WAIT till November 4th is here and GONE! Seems NO one really gives a flying flip during the "off" years when a president isn't running. But they all step it up a notch (okay a HUGE notch!) when the ever 4 year election is going on for President. And it seems EVERYONE has a political opinion. No one goes around asking you who you're voting for in a city mayor race, or a senate seat or congress seat is up for grabs. So what makes these people so "Political Smart" all of a sudden? Now I'm not saying don't go out there and vote, but honestly...do YOU pay attention to the politics any OTHER time? We should all really be paying attention to the local elections as THOSE are the ones who speak for THEIR town to get things done in office. The president just has Veto power honestly. You want to vote for the right senator as those are the ones who speak for you and your rights as a citizen.

I'm just tired of everyone having a political opinion, when they OBVIOUSLY don't have any clue about the canadiate they PLAN to vote for. Just because the majority of the party believes in one thing, doesn't mean that THAT CANADIATE believes it too, or even supports it for that matter. Is it too much to ask that people step BEYOND Party lines to LOOK at the other canadiate who's running? Too many people are "party specific" and don't even LISTEN to what the other canadiate has to say.


Okay, stepping off the high horse now :)

~ Brandi ~

No Instruction Manuals

So hubby and I are friends with a couple who just had a baby boy. They named him Smit (Eastern Indian name). I was thinking yesterday about how this couple has NEVER changed a diaper in their life, yet the state/government allows them to have children and bring him/her HOME.

The thought of them being so confused and NEW at this makes me remember what my brother, Ronnie, used to say when their son Ethan was born: "Sheesh Doc, didn't this little baby come with an instruction manual?"

Still to this day I laugh at the thought of him saying that and having this newborn baby and feeling helpless as to why he's crying. Then I sit and think of the couple with the new baby boy and us calling them and hearing baby Smit cry on the phone and the daddy frantically saying "I gotta go! Sorry!" Oh boy do we remember those days. Hubby and I just looked at each other and we both got this huge grin on our faces.

The couple is the first friends of ours; besides the ones we've met WITH children already, that have had a new baby. They (this couple) would never understand WHY we had to be home by 8pm to put the kids to bath and bed. Oh boy, is their world going to change and flip upside down. When you get that child on a schedule and he KNOWS that it's sleepy time, you don't want to mess with it. That is of course if you're traveling and it's BEYOND your control.
Many of times we've had to tell them we can't make dinner at their home because it's late and close to the children's bedtimes. (Indian food usually is served about 9pm or later) We thank them for the invite and tell them we'll have to do it at our house sometime because the children can then go to bed and we could mingle downstairs.

Our world has turned upside down with children, but now it's a sort of organized upside down chaos. It's just NICE to know that for a change, these people who have NEVER understood what a world of children has over parents...finally joins the "parental" role.

~ Brandi ~

Political crap!

Seriously, do I need 50 calls calling about this presidential election? Know how many "out of area" calls I have on my phone, or "name unavailable?" Oh! Like this one? I went to look at the caller ID and it said MY NAME & PHONE NUMBER!!! But I couldn't call my own home from MY NUMBER. It was a "POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT!" These guys are getting sneaky! Anything to get you to answer your phone.

Tonight three "KIDS" (I'll call them) of the African American decent came by with knowing who lives where... (asking for us by name) asking us if we're voting Obama or McCain. Obviously they were "snooping" for the Obama campaign. Man, can't they just WAIT till the election? I don't know TOO much about politics, but enough to know that this is all getting out of hand!

I seriously can NOT wait till all this is over. Does the DO NOT CALL list pertain to political calling? Or Polling? We've been asked a MILLION times who we're voting for. Usually just hand Aryan the phone and we get a dial tone after that.

I wish there was a number to be called that allows you to opt out of these political calls. It's too much when you've got calls at: 11:32am, 11:50am, 11:59am, 6:13pm, 8:02pm, 8:30pm, & 9:30pm! And that's just ONE day! 9:30pm? Do they not realize that families have their children into bed at that time?

To be honest, I do not know WHO I'm voting for. I don't like EITHER candidates and wish seriously someone would come out of the clouds of heaven and give me a sign as to whom to vote for. Who's best for our country? I don't like McCain's Health plan, and he's voted with Pres. Bush 90% of the time, and look at our country now. We ARE in a recession and our economy is hurting very badly right now. Our unemployment is at an all time HIGH, yet we've had no help from the government. Whose to say that my husband will still be employed here soon. It's the time of uncertainty and that's scary for sure! Regarding Obama ~ I'm not fond of his inexperience, his spending habits (we've all seen that!). And I'm just not sure he's "THE ONE" for the White House. He's making all these promises, but not sure he's able to fulfill them all. Sounds too good to be true. With his lack of experience, it really makes me think that our country will be even MORE vunerable than it already is!


I'm just a stay at home mom, who wants what is best for her children and her children's children.
The way this election is going, I probably have more experience than two of the nominees!

MOMMY TO MOM TO MOTHER

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or yearsor grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a womanis not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows,and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

~~ My friend Christina sent this to me ~~

Thanks hon!!!

Looking Back ~ Shock!?!

Today in the car, I had my daughter, my son & my son's friend coming home from Gymboree Play & Music. Aryan said something to Kaden in the form of, "You have to make sure to listen to my mommy Kaden." Kaden said okay. It just sort of dawned on me, that about 10 years ago ... I dreamed of becoming a mommy and now I have two children, and a son telling a friend that he has to listen to "HIS" mommy. Suddenly I became an adult. When did this happen? I am responsible for two children and their well-being. WHO gives us this right to become parents? Who says that we're ready to be responsible for someone other than ourselves?

It just seems like yesterday that life has just passed us by. And we just sort of grew up without really realizing it. Makes you wonder how many people you've thought about or forgotten over those years.

Just wanted to share my shock that I had today. Here I am, a mommy driving in a mini-van with two children and I still feel ~ mentally ~ a teenager. Just wish the body felt that way!

~ Brandi ~

Explaining Fibromyalgia

I don’t think I could have put it better myself!

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA

1. FMS is not the newest fad disease. In fact, it isn't a disease at all, and it isn't even new. In 1815, a surgeon at the University of Edenburgh, William Balfour, described fibromyalgia. Over the years, it has been known as chronic rheumatism, myalgia and fibrositis. Unlike diseases, syndromes do not have a known cause, but they do have a specific set of signs and symptoms which, unfortunately for the patient, take place together. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are also syndromes.

2. The many physical and emotional problems associated with FMS are not psychological in origin. This is not an "all in your head" disorder. In 1987, the American Medical Association recognized FMS as a true physical illness and major cause of disability.

3. Syndromes strike life-long athletes as viciously as they do couch potatoes. They can be disabling and depressing, interfering with even the simplest activities of daily life.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ME

1. My pain - My pain is not your pain. It is not caused by inflammation. Taking your arthritis medication will not help me. I can not work my pain out or shake it off. It is not even a pain that stays put. Today it is in my shoulder, but tomorrow it may be in my foot or gone. My pain is believed to be caused by improper signals sent to the brain, possibly due to sleep disorders. It is not well understood, but it is real.

2. My fatigue - I am not merely tired. I am often in a severe state of exhaustion. I may want to participate in physical activities, but I can't. Please do not take this personally. If you saw me shopping in the mall yesterday, but I can't help you with yard work today, it isn't because I don't want to. I am, most likely, paying the price for stressing my muscles beyond their capability.

3. My forgetfulness - Those of us who suffer from it call it fibrofog. I may not remember your name, but I do remember you. I may not remember what I promised to do for you, even though you told me just seconds ago. My problem has nothing to do with my age but may be related to sleep deprivation. I do not have a selective memory. On some days, I just don't have any short-term memory at all.

4. My clumsiness - If I step on your toes or run into you five times in a crowd, I am not purposely targeting you. I do not have the muscle control for that. If you are behind me on the stairs, please be patient. These days, I take life and stairwells one step at a time.

5. My sensitivities - I just can't stand it! "It" could be any number of things: bright sunlight, loud or high-pitched noises, odors. FMS has been called the "aggravating everything disorder." So don't make me open the drapes or listen to your child scream. I really can't stand it.

6. My intolerance - I can't stand heat, either. Or humidity. If I am a man, I sweat...profusely. If I am a lady, I perspire. Both are equally embarrassing, so please don't feel compelled to point this shortcoming out to me. I know. And don't be surprised if I shake uncontrollably when it's cold. I don't tolerate cold, either. My internal thermostat is broken, and nobody knows how to fix it.

7. My depression - Yes, there are days when I would rather stay in bed or in the house or die. I have lost count of how many of Dr. Kevorkian's patients suffered from FMS as well as other related illnesses. Severe, unrelenting pain can cause depression. Your sincere concern and understanding can pull me back from the brink. Your snide remarks can tip me over the edge.

8. My stress - My body does not handle stress well. If I have to give up my job, work part time, or handle my responsibilities from home, I'm not lazy. Everyday stresses make my symptoms worse and can incapacitate me completely.

9. My weight - I may be fat or I may be skinny. Either way, it is not by choice. My body is not your body. My appestat is broken, and nobody can tell me how to fix it.

10. My need for therapy - If I get a massage every week, don't envy me. My massage is not your massage. Consider how a massage would feel if that charley horse you had in your leg last week was all over your body. Massaging it out was very painful, but it had to be done. My body is knot-filled. If I can stand the pain, regular massage can help, at least temporarily.

11. My good days - If you see me smiling and functioning normally, don't assume I am well. I suffer from a chronic pain and fatigue illness with no cure. I can have my good days or weeks or even months. In fact, the good days are what keep me going.

12. My uniqueness - Even those who suffer from FMS are not alike. That means I may not have all of the problems mentioned above. I do have pain above and below the waist and on both sides of my body which has lasted for a very long time. I may have migraines or hip pain or shoulder pain or knee pain, but I do not have exactly the same pain as anyone else.


I hope that this helps you understand me, but if you still doubt my pain, your local bookstore, library and the internet have many good books and articles on fibromyalgia.

Hailey still in PICU :(

It's been a touch and go situation with my niece, Hailey. I seriously wish I could be there with her and my brother and sister in law. They really need the support. Nothing I can do from here though, and I have my own two children.

They've already been through so much crap! They just deserve a break!
If you want to know the latest update you can do so at her caring bridge page:

http://caringbridge.org/visit/haileychavers

Will try to update later...

Also, I know little Riley is still in need of prayers, please visit his mom's site:
http://lindseysouza.blogspot.com/


All these children suffering! :(

~ Brandi ~

Doctor Miller ~ Rheumatology

So on Wednesday, I had a Rheummy appointment. I've been in constant pain for as long as I can remember these past few years. Just sitting down typing this will/or would cause my arms and fingers to ache. Or my legs to ache or what ever seems to be the "HOT ITEM" of the moment. There is only so much pain a person can handle before they seriously just get so depressed and not want to do anything at all. But with me, I've got two children who rely on me daily for food and life.

After Wednesday's appointment, I feel MUCH better KNOWING I finally have a diagnosis and possible help! When I say possible help, meaning a medication that has been approved for my problem. My problem is Fibromyalgia. It totally explains my symptoms and my aches and pains. After looking at my blood work and ruling out other factors that could be causing my complaints and reading my "symptom" list...it was decided that this has to be it. Basically Fibromyalgia is a "rule" out problem. Meaning that once everything else has been ruled out, then this "has" to be it. Don't surprise me...I've seen patients with this, as well as worked with them and have a friend with Fibro. It's NO surprise to me that this same day my grandma was also diagnosised with it as well.

After I stop breastfeeding Rheanna, and figure out EXACTLY what is causing her breakout on her bottom, then I will definitely be taking the perscribed medication. This medication is called Lyrica. It has some side effects, but of course every medicine has it's downsides. Most people are able to work with/through it. I just hope to go out and play with the children as they get MORE active!

I'll post some more about this later :)

Thanks for reading!

~ Brandi ~

My Niece in PICU

A Post from my mother about my niece's condition:

I don’t even know where to begin. Hailey was fine one minute, the next she is
being whisked away by ambulance. It all happened so fast ~ I may miss or may
have a few things incorrect, but I will do my best to give the details as
Tisha
told them to me.
Tisha and Steven called me yesterday to let me
know that
Hailey was fitted for her new hearing aids but the Dr. that had
fitted her said
that her ear looked just a little nasty & turning red so
she needed to call
Hailey’s pediatrician to make her an appointment. So,
Tisha took her home, laid
her down for a nap and began making phone calls.
When it was time for Hailey to
wake up, Tisha went in her room and Hailey
was burning up with fever. She took
her temperature and it read 106.1! Tisha
of course was thinking that the
thermometer was wrong and that she was extra
hot from being under the covers, so
she threw the covers back and took it
again after a few minutes. This time it
was 106.0 ~ Her dad called 911 – it
was rush hour traffic and to get to the
hospital is a good 30 minutes
without traffic. They arrived to the hospital
within the hour. They began
taking blood, all the normal tests, MRI’s and
X-rays. Her lungs were clear,
her shunt and her ears were fine, no infections in
either ears or shunt. …
We are waiting for the cultures to come back which takes
24 hours to see
what else might be going on. They finally got her fever down to
103, but her
body is fighting something. They admitted her to the PICU with her
BP @
86/56, HR @ 150 and her respiration @ 34. They gave her 2 bolices (sp) and
dopamine. At 10pm her BP went to 90/39, HR 153 and respiration @ 33 and her
temp
was still at 103.something. Her gasses are high and her oxygen levels
are good ~
which has them confused. (Please forgive me for rambling…I am
going off memory
right now) At 10am this morning, her BP dropped again to
79/36 with her gasses
still way high. They decided to intubate her because
her little body is trying
too hard to fight which is making her weak. They
couldn’t put a central line in
her chest because of all of the past central
lines has weakened her chest
muscles, so they put her central line in her
groin area.
It is killing me to
be so far away from my Bug and not be
there for my kids. Tisha’s father is
there, but all of this hospital “stuff”
is taking a toll on him too. He last
seen his wife, Tisha’s mom hooked up to
all of the machines and with tubes and
wires everywhere not too long ago….it
is very hard on him and Tisha both. I
don’t know if I could be of more help,
but I have never been this far away from
them with Hailey in the PICU. My
parents, Steven’s grandparents are on their way
there and should be arriving
within the next couple of hours.
I will update
be updating her
Caringbridge page (link below) as soon as I get any more
information. Please
keep our little Hailey Bug (aroo) in your
prayers…..

Thank you~

http://caringbridge.org/visit/haileychavers

Just praying our family works this out and Hailey begins to fight.

~ Brandi ~

A Wonderful Monday!

Today was a fantastic day with the children. Aryan to school, me & Rheanna to Harris Teeter Grocery store, and then to home and chill. It started out cold here, warmed up then ended up cooler in the evening. I had to change Rheanna's clothes to something warmer for the afternoon time. Went to pick up Aryan from school and let him and Rheanna play at the school playground. Came home and took a great nap! Had snack and then outside we went again. Both children were very good today. I'm surprised! :) We'll see how the rest of the week goes *haha*

So I spoke with my grandparents today. My grandma is knitting a blanket for Rheanna for Christmas, and curtains for Aryan's room for Christmas as well. Both of these children cherish items like that. Aryan knows where each item he gets comes from. I have asked for our family NOT to get toys for the Christmas season this year. Both children have TOO many toys! I saved some for Rheanna that Aryan used to play with at her age. So I've not fully gone through all of those yet. They both have such different tastes in toys.
Aryan is totally content with doing puzzles OVER and OVER again where as Rheanna is content playing with her Parents Bee Bop Drum! She also likes to just play with what ever Aryan is playing with. Mostly to annoy him. But isn't that what every little sister does?

I came to log on today to post a new blog, and I got a message that my blog has been locked and that their computer has indicated that it's a possible SPAM blog. It will be unlocked after a "HUMAN" reviews it! I found that FUNNY!!! Seriously, just goes to show that computers aren't fool proof!

Ah, today I also worked on my mother's website. She breeds Yorkies and I run her website. I had to update it to show new pictures and indicate that one of the puppies have been adopted and in his loving home! Take a look! http://jansyorkies.com

This week is full of many appointments and just errands.
Monday: School
Tuesday: Gymboree & Park probably
Wednesday: MY Rheumotology appointment! *YEAH!!!!* & Aryan's School
Thursday: Aryan's appointment with Dr. Powell for Behavioral problems *will discuss later* & probably park as it's still nice outside!
Friday: Aryan's school, hubby's birthday, and family time!

Being a SAHM Really isn't all roses! I think I run around more now than I ever did! Seems these little ones are always needing and doing something. Be it medicine refills, doctor appointments, entertainment for them, or groceries & school! Sometimes I wonder what life would have been like without children, but then I snap into reality and realize that life would have been boring. Going to work and coming home and veg on the couch. That's just not ideal in my eyes!

I think I'm going to call it a night. Have to get Aryan's milk as Rheanna is already down for the night. I also need to take some medicine as I'm aching all over. Just what happens when you TRY to have a normal life with the children and let them have fun :(

Prayers for a little boy...

Apparently a little boy named Riley, recently born was life flighted to Duke Medical. Our family knows very well about Duke as both my nieces underwent chemo and bone marrow transplant there.
Please just pray for their family!

http://lindseysouza.blogspot.com/