tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69549425147372105192012-02-16T11:50:12.072-07:00An interesting journey in the passenger seat of my thoughts, at worst. We put a unique twist on ordinary at this house so read all about it.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.comBlogger1591100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-499765296287581522012-02-13T10:05:00.000-07:002012-02-15T15:00:14.717-07:00

Frances Elaine (Trueblood) Stidham, 94, peacefully passed away on February 11, 2012, in Loveland, Colorado.  Frances was born in Gordon, Nebraska on December 23, 1917 to Benjamin Trueblood and Louise ‘Lulu’ Sears Trueblood.  She married Harry Hugen in September of 1936 and to this union a son, Bennie Hugen, was born.  In 1941 she married Woodrow Wilson Stidham in her new home state of

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-7820036509528104672012-01-31T14:22:00.001-07:002012-01-31T14:22:37.926-07:00

Ciao 2012!  January was welcomed in an invigorating fashion that tops all attempts to date.  My amusing, snarky, delightful (possibly as neurotic as myself) friend Heather and I partook in a very chilly plunge into the Boulder Reservoir.  Our lovely souls require some of the same reminders about living, really taking advantage of feeling alive.  Read what she had to say about the Polar Bear

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-54590117748702326672012-01-22T13:41:00.002-07:002012-01-22T13:41:19.837-07:00

Happy birthday to Aliza!  We celebrated her 3rd birthday this weekend.  Yesterday with some great friends at Jumpin' and then on to Grandma's for an overnight adventure.  Mom and I have been collecting dress up clothes for her since Halloween clearance started...it was the perfect time for dress up duds, she dug it! What's in the trunk?  Which shoes?  I love being a princess

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-82848204832690155452011-12-31T22:30:00.002-07:002011-12-31T22:30:57.784-07:00

Wishing you the best in 2012! It was a fun hill, all the snow is gone now. Basement shower, Ava's new walk in! Aliza thinks the sled is alright

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-49003823275907223782011-12-22T08:00:00.000-07:002011-12-22T16:27:16.953-07:00

I have a precious few moments with my desktop and coffee mug this snowy morning.  I can’t believe it is nearly January and I’ve left no words of our December days.  There has been a sick bug in the house that sort of threw everyone for a 24-hour loop, or two.  Lysol and laundry took priority I guess. We also have a new gadget that we have been preoccupied with.  Finally, Ava’s DynaVox voice

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-5596308265716259682011-11-30T21:02:00.001-07:002011-12-01T08:25:09.111-07:00

My coffee date with gratitude this year brought me back to a particular essay that I read a few months back.  It was originally published as a New York Times Opinion, written by Emily Rapp, titled Dragon Mom.  Here’s a snippet, you should really go check it out if you haven’t already. “How do you parent without a net, without a future, knowing that you will lose your child, bit by torturous

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-63369925213213344102011-11-18T14:57:00.001-07:002011-11-18T17:33:29.225-07:00

It’s been another exhilarating week on Podtburg Circle.  Last Friday we scored a cancellation slot for Ava’s follow up appointment from her E.M.U. stay, the next available slot was February so it was a hailed surprise.  On Wednesday evening as I was preparing mentally (literally making my notes) for the follow-up, the phone rang; UC Denver popped up on the caller ID.  By now I know that

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-23811128597758539002011-11-10T15:00:00.000-07:002011-11-10T16:14:50.995-07:00

My, oh my, time certainly does fly.  I really need to update this blog more often; one of my identifiable fears is that I will someday wake to a different life having little memory of my current life’s daily musings.  Thus, feeling cheated that I wasn’t even at the party ;) I need to provide an update on the E.M.U. stay Ava had shortly before Halloween; I’ve probably shelved important items not

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-80981576137302497292011-11-01T12:45:00.000-06:002011-11-01T12:45:40.260-06:00

Of course there has been plenty of Halloween around here. Aliza is a pro, Trick or Treat, Happy Halloween and thank you...she has learned these things get you plenty of goodies.  Ava wasn't up for trick or treats this year and I forgot my camera for her school party so I'll have to dress her up again for a photo. And a quick stay in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit for Ava, I promise to blog

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-58795841606567586352011-10-21T10:06:00.000-06:002011-10-21T18:09:22.772-06:00

Yesterday Ava and I spent the afternoon at TCH in the outpatient pavilion, 3rd floor.  We visited with two epileptologists (Keator & Brooks-Kayle) and have finally come up with a game plan on where to start…again.  Ava will be in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) for a minimum of 24-hours and up to 4-days, in the next week or two.  She will also be going under for another M.R.I. in the next

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-13077302135703604242011-10-11T17:43:00.002-06:002011-10-11T17:43:57.036-06:00

I haven’t been avoiding my blog, in fact there is plenty of information I should have been documenting in regards to the girls here lately.  If it hasn’t been lost in that devious never-never land, eventually it will turn up.  I’m pretty sure my mind is stuck somewhere I shouldn’t be blogging about, presently.  Aliza is growing up; sophisticated and mind staggering continue to be her

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-52483282751921750552011-09-22T13:01:00.001-06:002011-09-22T13:01:59.767-06:00

Neurosurgery: February 2009 - Volume 64 - Issue 2 - p 328-337 doi: 10.1227/01.NEU.0000336767.14252.76 Clinical Studies Epilepsy Surgery in Children With Electrical Status Epilepticus in Sleep Loddenkemper, Tobias M.D.; Cosmo, Gary R. EEG T.; Kotagal, Prakash M.D.; Haut, Jennifer Ph.D.; Klaas, Patricia Ph.D.; Gupta, Ajay M.D.; Lachhwani, Deepak K. M.D.; Bingaman, William M.D.; Wyllie,

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-17990389109234189772011-09-06T15:37:00.001-06:002011-09-06T15:37:53.945-06:00

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-40119931129428541922011-09-02T16:30:00.001-06:002011-09-02T16:35:08.477-06:00

Denial…any of you whom still want to tell me I am here can kiss, perhaps my middle finger.  In light of my last post, prognosis for the type of epilepsy Ava has should be quite clear.  Stick you head back in the sand if not.  As nutty as you may find this, hooray for potential diagnosis/prognosis!  I have been hoping for this opportunity, a name to describe what chips at my sweet Ava, thus giving

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-80661081676744711842011-08-24T17:43:00.000-06:002011-08-24T17:43:43.389-06:00

I think most Americans must suffer from shit for brains, mostly by choice.  Here is a story about a little girl that was lucky enough to have that shit removed.  It is courtesy of my friends at EFCO after a little training at the Anchor Center shed light on our story a couple of weeks ago.  I have summarized and removed names so email me if you want more info. Age 5: Family notices an array of

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-737017335496566232011-08-17T08:41:00.003-06:002011-08-17T09:42:59.296-06:00

 This has been keeping us pretty busy, summer play that is!  Aliza enjoyed the Larimer County Fair  She is the best tomato and strawberry picker around Ava enjoys the JT lake pier Aliza too  Farewell summer! Later today we will be heading back to Nebraska for one last summer getaway with my family.  Both the girls start school over the next couple of weeks and we

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-15722575488127426462011-07-27T22:04:00.002-06:002011-07-27T22:07:51.500-06:00

I am happy to see July near its end. This sticky, hot, crazy weather summer has made for too many bugs and much to much humdity.  Ava develops a goose-egg sized lump everywhere a mosquito gets her. And they love her. So we are trying to avoid those pesky fu*king things. Aliza, however, is living it up. Last Thursday was Ava’s last day of ESY/Transition time to her new grade school. We lost

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-44739487850743965612011-07-07T16:31:00.002-06:002011-07-07T16:36:51.819-06:00

It was a bit soon to be bragging about how much easier my summer was going than the last one, a few posts back. The no-sleep monster is making itself cozy at this house again. That means the bat-shit crazy lady we used to call mom comes and goes without much warning. Yikes, poor Liz Mae! Miss Ava is on an endless medication change/dial-in cycle and we happen to find ourselves in the ‘slums

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-85792160194028883802011-07-01T05:35:00.003-06:002011-07-01T10:30:17.524-06:00

With all due respect to the old stars and stripes, we celebrate frogs and angels at our house in July. Pull out your green and purple for a beautiful (albeit long) ride through the Rockies. Not up for something quite like that? You can always donate today! Someday I will join Summits for Samantha for this beautiful ride...util then I am hoping to at least make family day to cheer everyone on.

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-38338344240670488492011-06-27T10:41:00.002-06:002011-06-29T16:11:42.755-06:00

Do you believe in magic, miracles or voodoo? If you know me I’m sure you are familiar with a support group I attend with other super-moms of the especially needy. For well over a year we have been meeting in North Denver monthly for a little soul food to harmonize a night away from our daily bliss. Unlikely to have ever broken bread together before our lives became rather parallel to each others

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-75877550730274305172011-06-23T15:44:00.001-06:002011-06-23T15:45:24.206-06:00

Cranial Sacral Therapy is going wonderful for Ava, did I mention we were trying it?  Sweet like candy to her soul...Brandy rubs and Ava sometimes takes a snooze.  The results we have seen are amazing. Ava has also started her ESY for a smooth transition over to Pioneer Ridge into Kindergarten. Joe finished his apprenticeship, became a back-flow inspector and started a new job all in the past 

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-2739595964467971152011-06-05T15:04:00.003-06:002011-07-27T22:05:07.063-06:00

We spent Saturday at Grandma's.  These are some of her neighbors, we feed them carrots and grass. Here are the rest of her neighbors, they like beer and lutefisk. One of them has a pool and hot tub, Liz isn't sure what to think about that. Uff da!

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-4575664318433923342011-05-25T17:15:00.002-06:002011-05-25T17:20:05.456-06:00

So we found the downtown Denver aquarium to have some lunch at instead... Next it was on to the zoo but those rain drops kept falling on our heads... Ava has a new jogger, $700 worth of love. A few animals came out to visit even in the rain... We still had much fun and got out of the house!

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-49432284025971266002011-05-22T12:28:00.000-06:002011-05-22T12:28:20.957-06:00

One by one, we are marching on. It is hard for me to believe that Miss Ava is officially a kindergartener. Tuesday night we attended her stepping up program (close to 95 preschool students from the district participated) and she did amazing. The kids sang and performed as individual classes and as a whole for 3-sets. They entertained us with an array from hand-jiving and singing to yoga and it

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-39150548493762144702011-05-03T16:35:00.000-06:002011-05-03T16:35:07.417-06:00

Since I last posted I have turned another year older and wrapped up the Strides for Epilepsy-North Colorado 5K all in one weekend to name a few happenings. I am going to with hold my post on the event and all the INCREDIBLE friends I have until the final fundraising details are in.  We kicked ass! Aliza Mae is growing like a weed. She is still funny as hell and her newest phrase that cracks me

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-67684759802395246082011-04-19T20:46:00.000-06:002011-04-19T20:46:39.453-06:00

In late March, Liz Mae started her garden...with a little help from dad.    Shortly into the project, she must have misplaced her undies.   Tah dah!  Liz will update you on her success.

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-61537104139173826252011-04-16T08:39:00.001-06:002011-05-26T08:04:46.674-06:00

I picked Ava up from school on Monday in time to eat lunch at the hospital cafeteria. Her much anticipated diagnostic appointment had finally arrived and we weren’t taking our chances on being late to it. We drug grandma along as well; dad opted to stay home with trouble making Mae. Ava is still cruising on very minimal AED’s and her night-y night dose of benzo’s along with some good

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-44582488125322731952011-04-03T16:14:00.001-06:002011-04-03T16:14:00.380-06:00

Myself!  I want to do it myself. Stop playing my drum (her drum is her bum). I want to watch a cartoon, just a little? That’s mine. Wanna go outside? Can I have it? Where’s Sis? Hear it? That’s mine. I need it now. Don’t sing me a song. I need a snack Everybody, let's all dance together. Where’s my blankie? Oh blankie, where are you? No mommy. No, no, no, no, noooo. It’s beautiful. The best part

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-59393427829409663282011-03-25T22:01:00.000-06:002011-03-25T22:01:46.260-06:00

Why not? I guess since Ava has been presumably seizure free (although not pharmaceutical free) since she was around 13-months I should write a bit on why we still identify greatly with this condition. After all it is not a disease itself rather a symptom of some, often mysterious, underlying disease.  A plethora of diagnosis sometimes shake hands with this nemesis. Abnormal synapse of the brain

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-60100441542603510472011-03-12T15:03:00.001-07:002011-03-12T15:06:11.411-07:00

I have a gigantic smile to blog with today which I will reveal later. There is so much going on with Ava, so many new ideas and doctors that I feel dizzy, at least a bit more than usual. I now trust a holistic (ABIHM) neuro-psychiatrist to lead the pharmaceutical way. We now visit Dr Shannon in Ft Collins; he is also on staff at UC/TCH. She is down one seizure/mood stabilizing drug and on about

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-50857719027998865212011-03-08T15:35:00.000-07:002011-03-08T15:35:03.800-07:00

Surreal can be the only way to describe the experiences I’ve had this year with telling little people goodbye; many, many years ahead of their time. Little Braxton’s service was lovely, I am so grateful to have spent a weekend with him and to have been able to attend his service and enjoy him vicariously through the nurses and many others whom helped make his short life so sweet. The service was

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-21307229700132167182011-03-02T21:17:00.000-07:002011-03-02T21:17:29.393-07:00

Services will be held on Friday, March 4th at 10:00 AM at the Southern Hills Baptist Church, 8601 South Penn in Oklahoma City. There will be a viewing at The Vondel L. Smith & Son funeral home at 6934 South Western in Oklahoma City. The viewing will take place on Thursday, March 3rd from 7pm to 9pm. A fund has been set up by friends of the family to help with all of the expenses that they have

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-26081332434187430612011-02-21T21:08:00.000-07:002011-02-21T21:08:57.265-07:00

I spent a bit of today (and Friday) battling the urge to drive down to the TCH main campus and find the neurology nurse hangout/call center and then choke them with my bare hands. That’s right, fighting physical rage over my fantastic luck every time I use that damn non-emergency voice mail box…the one which reassures you that someone will call you back with in 24 hours. Pfffffttt. Did I mention

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-22546667725858905862011-01-26T09:37:00.000-07:002011-01-26T09:37:11.333-07:00

Anticipation, it has been so long that I almost missed you. Yep, we’ve been hanging in there, steering our own ship, getting by. Not anymore. Ah no, we are desperately in need of some navigation tips. My last post had a little stench of optimism in regards to where we are going. I was blind, so blind to all the facts…mostly the giant one that Ava’s neurologist might not be coming back; she is on

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-87140565428084707912011-01-20T18:04:00.000-07:002011-01-20T18:04:37.919-07:00

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-6914782520744055302011-01-11T20:22:00.000-07:002011-01-11T20:22:59.077-07:00

Happy blah blah; merry blah, blah ditty dah dah blah. At least that part is over and we are on to much more exciting things at this house. I can always count on the comfort zone rug getting pulled out from beneath me when I think we are nearing a more tolerable pattern of existence. My big girl panties are on reserve, hopefully we move forward with this complete med shake up with only trivial

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-88000721664666676942010-12-29T21:20:00.001-07:002010-12-29T21:21:12.799-07:00

So, the last thing I expected from 2010 was this... Its funny how something like loosing a first tooth can catch a bunch of grown ups off guard. Something so normal passing by so fast and effortlessly for Ava is a bit out of character. We had noticed the loose tooth less than a week ago but I figured it would drag on as various things have. Instead, she pulled it out herself. She wasn’t quite

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-32730618640024466392010-12-24T22:01:00.053-07:002010-12-24T22:01:05.102-07:00

‘Twas the night before Christmas, at the Jaksha houseMamma was still stirring; she just might be a little soused;The stockings are missing their bells but packed nice and tight,Everyone is hoping Santa will come through as promised tonight;The two little red-heads were protesting bedtime with duress;Some days they're pretty naughty but stillDad had a scooter and Thomas the Train to address…And

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-22062625303075602232010-12-19T16:01:00.000-07:002010-12-19T16:01:32.940-07:00

It has proven to be simple to forget just how much things can and do change in a short amount of time. Ava is feeling pretty sophisticated lately. Her school peeps have been cracking up about all sorts of her shenanigans. I’ve warned them about her teasing and funny bone; they finally get to see that side of her more often than not. A little birdie has already been on my ass about her current

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-59784556456538285902010-12-10T21:56:00.000-07:002010-12-10T21:56:18.081-07:00

There is a speck of correlation between the amount of time I spend spouting off about my woos & woes to this damn blog and the order maintained inside my wee head. Yeah, maybe a phone call to a friend, a good drunk or a moment of silence would be more worthy but who has time for any of that? I rarely get bathroom breaks alone at this point. The complicated thing is this little novelty called

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-43551639668265108782010-11-23T15:36:00.001-07:002010-11-23T15:49:31.816-07:00

“Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture.” ~Kak Sri Oh how the above quote seems to be singing my song ringing my bell during this particular season of gratefulness. Any of you that have been reading for a while know I am constantly trying to preserve whatever grace I can conjure up. It really is easiest to just approach life with an attitude of entitlement and say f*

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-88013736427663342472010-11-21T21:39:00.000-07:002010-11-21T21:39:29.335-07:00

Aliza and I took big grandma to the dentist on Wednesday. Afterwards we stopped at Wendy’s for lunch. I asked Aliza if she liked her burger. “It’s delicious” she said. I don’t order her fast food burgers ever or use the word delicious much. I guess I better start.  In the meantime I caught her staring at something behind me. I asked her what she was looking at. “Giddddddyyyy up, cowboy. YEEEE

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-46897120313637546562010-11-14T10:57:00.001-07:002010-11-17T20:15:25.853-07:00

I received my copy of Epilepsy Advocate today (check out page 18 of the Fall 2010 issue) and wanted to share some numbers... ************ $9.6 billion Annual epilepsy related expenses in the U.S., including medical expenditures and informal care ************ $1,800 Average cost per day for U.S. hospital admission of a person with epilepsy/convulsion ************ $707 Average cost of an

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-72007825411171097972010-11-02T22:23:00.000-06:002010-11-02T22:23:57.086-06:00

In lieu of a revitalizing, much needed night with my super moms I gift you this scrumptious morsel. It has got to be better than election night coverage. I’m ashamed to say that I am in search of my attitude of gratitude this year. It’s been hard for everyone here. I know, all of you too. My husband was laid off from his nice paying UNION job in late August and things have been a little funky

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-50762840760615260622010-10-28T20:08:00.000-06:002010-10-28T20:08:57.807-06:00

At least 10 Years ago, that is, there lived these two crazy cats that stood in the chapel, on the side of Harvey's Casino in South Lake Tahoe; on a very snowy night.  Around 8:00 pm on this very date we exchanged vows with the help of some great friends and a fairly funky minister whom put a native twist on our very simple I do's. It seems like forever ago, I'm not even sure I remember recognize

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-27703428958836658802010-10-20T15:16:00.000-06:002010-10-20T15:16:19.358-06:00

Time is certainly leaving me in the dust this fall. We have had a lot of action since my last post, here’s a little update. Aliza is Ms Busy Bee and keeps the rest of us very busy, indeed. She can count to 10, sing the ABC song and is recognizing some letters, numbers and sight words. She is a sensory seeker and surprises us with her agility, climbing and throwing skills. She can do back flips,

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-89283357990127006632010-10-08T14:59:00.000-06:002010-10-08T14:59:56.300-06:00

Already? Already, at the ripe old age of 5, Ava has boys love-struck. Tuesday: I am going through her back pack and communication folder from school and I find a stack of pictures with a sticky note saying; these were done for Ava from another student. Wednesday: Ava comes out of class behind a smiley little boy holding her hand and heading towards his mom yelling, “This is Ava, momma. Look,

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-10466545504577145372010-10-04T21:02:00.001-06:002010-10-04T21:06:00.108-06:00

An update on the big sensory diet as follows… 1. She wears the S.P.I.O 3-5 hours a day on average. It is a life saver that helps with car sickness, sensory seeking, sensory overload and motor planning, including speech. 2. I have seen her respond well to a neoprene wrap, home-made body sock type thing with her O.T., recently. It looks pretty simple to make, even if I can barely navigate a

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-91714208779288432262010-09-29T17:57:00.000-06:002010-09-29T17:57:08.713-06:00

Happy, haaappy 5th birthday to my Ava Bean! If I had a dime for every time my heart & soul has sank or soared walking by your side, we would be rich…filthy, dirty rich. If I was granted a wish for every jewel of a friend that has been sent to help us navigate this life, no child would ever again be this kind of sick. Because as hard as the past 5-years have been, the rewards for all the

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-85511057685668586562010-09-27T10:52:00.000-06:002010-09-27T10:52:04.046-06:00

*She is talking quite well, in sentences most of the time now. No, no, no, nooo, NO is a pretty habitual phrase in her vocabulary. *She calls croutons “cookies” and eats the red onions and feta cheese off my salad whenever I oblige her. I think she may be a vegetarian. Except for hotdogs, she likes hotdogs & bacon. Real meat isn’t at the top of her list. *She is a natural jokester; April Fools

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-19874501123441548942010-09-19T23:09:00.001-06:002010-09-20T14:18:28.452-06:00

The triennial went much, much better than the last IEP meeting went this past spring. It was little ‘ole me, the TVI, PT, OT, SLP, ECES, psychology, preschool director, paraprofessional, social worker and BOCES child find coordinator. I hope I am not forgetting anyone because we barely fit in the room. Yes, alone I was. I actually didn’t realize it was a triennial until about 3-weeks prior and

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-6828111906066642982010-09-17T15:29:00.001-06:002010-09-17T15:29:37.592-06:00

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-55919417874927385462010-09-16T21:12:00.000-06:002010-09-16T21:12:30.227-06:00

I have silently witnessed more than one conversation, debate, idea misunderstanding about the current American climate, lately. Yes to those of you who choose to drink and debate with me…SILENCE. if you can imagine? Honestly a good understanding of government policy in general is proving to be a fairly misunderstood idea from my observations and I think that is pretty damn Un-American. I am no

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-38497533706638181542010-09-07T22:21:00.000-06:002010-09-07T22:21:15.737-06:00

Here I am, back at the keyboard. My keyboard. It feels really, really grand to be back at any keyboard. Since the introduction of my blackberry crackberry and now the iPad, I can officially proclaim that I hate mobile apps and the whole touch pad typing thing. If the iPad were actually mine, I would purchase a keyboard and if I wasn’t such a Facebook junkie I would ditch the mobile app. There you

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-31796917476205318142010-08-24T15:27:00.000-06:002010-08-24T15:27:48.091-06:00

Finally, school is back in session...Oh yeah! Ava has had a couple of really good days and I have to give the SPIO credit for a very chilled nervous system, we have tried many drugs to no avail. It is also nice to only be commuting to Milliken although we MISS the Anchor Center and all of our friends, especially Liz and I. Knock on wood; hopefully we are finally getting into some type of life

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-88377891097014137402010-08-18T21:14:00.001-06:002010-08-19T19:56:00.325-06:00

Oh how WE love Ava's iPad... Here is a tad on the start of our process. I am overwhelmed but excited as the sky is certainly the limit, and it is not very difficult so far.  The standard accessibility features are pretty impressive too. I have chosen Proloquo2Go as our platform for AAC. The company is also working on assitiveware with the public schools in mind for Mac use.  There is pleny of

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-67305964188038083942010-08-08T21:05:00.000-06:002010-08-08T21:05:35.767-06:00

Recently I have had the pleasure of meeting some folks who know me only from my blog. I’ve giggled and reflected on hearing things like “you must be the girl with no secrets”. 1. Secrets give you wrinkles. 2. Sharing the very top layer of goo that is no longer sacred enough to be left out of the blog, not a secret either. 3. My life is not exciting enough to have secrets; perhaps secrets are

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-18259222571302658192010-08-02T20:59:00.002-06:002010-08-03T20:17:21.060-06:00

“The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.” ~Theodore Rubin My entire life I have felt somewhat of a misfit. As I continue to age, better than fine wine I might add, I can identify many reasons for this; bastard child in a small town full of judgment, big heart but even bigger mouth, free spirit more willing to

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-54340533426244320302010-07-26T14:40:00.002-06:002010-08-03T20:17:43.458-06:00

Today has been surreal for me and many of my friends, especially my super-mom friends. Even my friends that are not super-mom’s, whom had never met the little princess I’m blogging in honor of today, have an extremely heavy heart for my dear friend Heather, her husband Bart and their families today. Samantha’s village was taken by surprise with the news of her passing yesterday. I am

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-72743591639475396802010-07-23T16:43:00.001-06:002010-07-23T16:44:42.788-06:00

That is a question that I am no longer pondering, mostly anyways. Instead my entire income from accounting in July has been spent on my quest to solidify our sensory diet, have a more functional family life and a better chance at getting to some better structured education with in the public school system this year (I will try to better explain this statement, no blame intended). Ha, who am I

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-79989321172347964102010-07-13T14:32:00.000-06:002010-07-13T14:32:01.937-06:00

Thanks to Cathy’s fabulous comment on the blog I posted yesterday I wanted to follow up with a bit more detail of my story and experiences regarding CCB stuff. Why? I think it is an extremely important part of my family’s everyday life and will continue to dictate Ava’s services through out her adult life. When I am in the community moderating support groups, getting education on the system or

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-3208826663732035322010-07-12T15:09:00.002-06:002010-07-12T15:26:21.910-06:00

Here are a few things I want to share with my supermoms... For my Colorado peeps - did you know a task force was establisehd by the Department of Human Serives and the Deparment of Health Care Policy and Finacing to gather and process information & make recommendations to the state concerning Community Centered Boards?  It looks like they are FINALLY concerned with the problems that may arise as

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-3792118740074634862010-07-07T21:19:00.000-06:002010-07-07T21:19:03.333-06:00

AND bouncing while playing ball games with Big Grandma our Grandma's Grandma. We hope you enjoyed hearing from us!  XO'sAva & Aliza

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-42035197787512495732010-07-03T21:50:00.001-06:002010-07-08T15:03:08.232-06:00

I always forget just how great of a blogging audience I have until I flip my top for the world to see. Thank you great friends and followers, you keep me as sane as I’ve ever been. ;) It’s just one of My Luggage cleaning chores that sometimes must be done.  I feel much better now. Aliza is becoming quite the handy little sister. She feeds Ava every now and then, turns her bed-time rain maker on

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-44225448014265227152010-07-02T14:29:00.003-06:002010-07-08T15:23:08.069-06:00

Wow, summer is cruising right along and I’m alright with that. I enjoy fall & spring much more. Really, you can only take so many layers off and then there you are…stinky, beet red and miserable ;) No matter the season I’ve missed you all! We’ve had some good times and some really bad times since my last blog. I don’t think I’ve talked about my new nephew, Mr. Braxton Lee Mitchell. My best

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-24369819277775880452010-06-22T17:29:00.002-06:002010-07-08T15:13:12.668-06:00

You'd think I could find some spare time to nurture my blogging needs... Miss Ava graduated a couple of Fridays ago and I have been meaning to post make a short video of her walking to the stage like a big girl to get her diploma.  I was very, very proud of her; dad and grandma were too.  It was a very nice ending for the entire village of us to enjoy!  Joe taped the graduation so if you didn't

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-10642737450037609802010-06-04T14:21:00.000-06:002010-06-04T14:21:05.124-06:00

I am finally going to give the blog a little spot regarding the sensory diet Ava has been on since her holiday break from school this winter. I truly believe that the diet has changed our lives but the science verdict is still out. There is a lot of hubbub in the diagnostic world about kiddos like mine whom are yet to be explained. You also face the paradigm of thoughts regarding Autism, ADD/

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-68592789393777640352010-05-28T16:44:00.000-06:002010-05-28T16:44:49.826-06:00

Four years have passed. Four years since my life was forever changed in fewer than 60 seconds. Some days it certainly feels like a lifetime while others it seems like it was yesterday when Ms. Cathy (a vision specialist with the Anchor Center) walked through our front door. This dim, barely visible light was sparked inside me. It was my first experience with logic, some place to begin to make

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-40463213666695779342010-05-25T16:42:00.001-06:002010-07-08T15:04:55.564-06:00

Aliza makes her big debut...

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-13659233890763578492010-05-19T20:46:00.001-06:002010-05-19T20:47:53.747-06:00

Today mom finally decided to give me a shot at her blog; it was my last day of public preschool after all. Mom & Aliza joined my class for a kite making party and then I sang some songs in my circle of friends to end the show. We are really quite good, sticks and all. I think I even seen momma sneaking close by to catch a photo of me in all my glory.I will miss my friends but I am looking forward

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-55036853297041516572010-05-03T21:48:00.004-06:002010-05-03T21:53:55.897-06:00

It was IEP day and I really was not too stressed about the situation. After all, it was only an annual review and I’d made my peace with the only problem I felt the team had around a month ago. At least I thought I had. “I am NOT going to recommend Ava for visual services, she does not fit state criteria” says Mr. TVI to start the meeting off on a REAL good note. Ahhhh, yes he did…I could see it

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-33619291069679606522010-04-24T09:48:00.001-06:002010-04-24T09:51:43.992-06:00

I think I owe it to Jesus to give you a little blog regarding the history of his presence on my blog (in particular the button to the left). No, I don’t hate Christians. No, I have not gone crazy as some of you have inquired. But on that same note, if you think not being a Christian is a clear indication of insanity, you should be focusing on your own mental state of being…I’m guessing Jesus

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-87519979026193779252010-04-19T21:26:00.000-06:002010-04-19T21:26:32.552-06:00

“Sometime in your life, hope that you might see one starved man, the look on his face when the bread finally arrives. Hope that you might have baked it or bought or even kneaded it yourself. For that look on his face, for your meeting his eyes across a piece of bread, you might be willing to lose a lot, or suffer a lot, or die a little, even.” ~Daniel Berrigan Wow…it’s been one hell of a

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-34271342513594562652010-04-07T20:50:00.001-06:002010-04-07T21:19:07.108-06:00

For the last 3-4 years I have put a lot of my own brain space into gathering knowledge like the above image; mainly to help me better understand Ava's brain but I must say that the brain in itself has captured my curiosity, I find it fascinating.  I have recently been turned on to the Charlie Rose Brain Series (particularly episode 2 on neuro-vision) and would like to say thank you to Dr Boucher

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-37329716232528061012010-04-04T20:48:00.001-06:002010-07-08T15:12:09.013-06:00

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-69234463912435947272010-03-29T12:40:00.003-06:002010-03-30T10:16:22.207-06:00

Hello, Friends.  Many of you have asked about services and memorials for Patty Briggs: Funeral services for Patty K. Briggs, 65, of Winner, SD will be Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hickey-Wevik Funeral Chapel in Chamberlain with burial of the ashes at a later date The family will be letting me know, as soon as they know, how you can share cards and memorialize Patty.  If you

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-21653694310833950072010-03-27T22:26:00.002-06:002010-07-08T15:13:55.080-06:00

People are strange and I am certainly no exception to the rule. There are days I wake up and pinch myself thinking shit girl; you are MORE normal than most folks with half of your problems. Other days I wake wide-eyed, ready to sprint to the finish; focusing on the sole thought of the damned day (or whatever unpleasant part of that day) to be over. I no longer wish for things not to be; I just

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-69938666994215604012010-03-18T11:58:00.001-06:002010-07-08T15:14:37.027-06:00

Seek to understand, then to be understood. Good words to live by and I certainly give it my best. Really, with what I’ve got on my plate I have a pretty low tolerance for wallowing with pigs. I spend plenty of time dealing with egos the size of Texas at places like TCH and ECNC. Also, I have no problem greeting those egos with a cheesy smile, for Ava. What I still haven’t mastered in life is

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-48470914853499753682010-03-01T13:34:00.002-07:002010-07-08T15:18:15.870-06:00

It is as grandmothers that our mothers come into the fullness of their grace. ~ C Morley Happy Birthday to Mom, Happy Birthday to Grandma, Happy Birthday dear Nana Cindy………Happy Birthday to you! Not only do I love my mom but I love that her birthday signifies good things to come - spring, March Madness, Easter Eggs. Life is finally starting to gain some type of recognizable pace again. I like

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-3546292677148587722010-02-17T13:37:00.001-07:002010-07-08T15:17:15.586-06:00

“Life is like a rollercoaster. It's full of ups and downs that make you scream and it costs a lot to ride.” A sweet, fragile lady shared a card with me last night that her friend had sent with the above quoted, written by a 5th grader. Yes, I am once again learning that children and the elderly have much more in common with each other than us nutty adults. Sometimes I find myself in envy of the

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-74056986818704266042010-02-03T14:28:00.002-07:002010-07-08T15:16:07.677-06:00

EPILEPSY - more common than MS, CP and Parkinson's combined.  1 in 100 people have it and 1 in 10 people will have a seizure sometime in their life. Allison and Liza (seen in the film) are friends of ours.  Allison works for Epilepsy Colorado Foundation and is helping Heather and I with the support group in Loveland.  She is also responsible for making the first annual Steps for Epilepsy Walk

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-56316245028996320192010-01-30T16:57:00.002-07:002010-07-08T15:15:50.812-06:00

Well….I have survived the first half of my CNA course. The great news is that Joe, my mother and the girls have too! I’m not going to lie; getting home between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. after throwing classmates around in a lab making occupied beds, along with tasks like peri-care and transferring to a wheelchair is not at the top of my list of evening fun. Or any fun, for that matter. I take care of

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-61352170789230603122010-01-24T20:35:00.001-07:002010-07-08T15:16:38.990-06:00

I had a fantastic birthday party!  Good food, drink and friends; that's what my mom says life is all about.  Mamma's blog got a little bug so please DON'T use the "Share This" links at the end of the older posts.  When she gets some time, she will comb through her HTML and try to find the tricksters code, widget, whatever in the heck it is....

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-43348397087044627272010-01-18T16:42:00.003-07:002010-07-08T15:07:43.274-06:00

Guess who turns ONE this week? Yes, I can hardly believe my little Liz Mae is no longer a baby…on to toddler things; it’s very bitter sweet. We’re having a little gathering next Saturday to celebrate; I’ll try to post a quick tid bit on the affair by Sunday. I start my CNA class tomorrow evening so I’m not quite sure how much blog time I’ll have the next four weeks. Auntie Tricia sent us a

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-33419507897942984992010-01-14T14:28:00.001-07:002010-07-08T15:06:04.788-06:00

It’s been some time since I’ve shared in detail about Ava so here’s a bit about the last few months… I had three options to choose from for some accelerated therapy over the holiday break: 1. Daily treadmill walking 2. Potty schedule 3. Wilbarger’s brushing protocol (google for details) I could probably write entire blogs on all three of these items but I’ll spare you all the details. If you so

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-39923758613988863162010-01-03T11:04:00.003-07:002010-07-08T15:06:29.382-06:00

May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions. ~Joey Adams Hello to you, my friends, and a brand New Year. I hope Santa was good to you and that you survived the weather, quality family time and whatever other mayhem the holidays delivered. I’m ready for a new year and have plenty to keep myself busy the next few months...maybe even years ;) It’s hard for me to grasp that

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-57608568341539647002009-12-31T18:03:00.000-07:002009-12-31T18:03:03.675-07:00

1. Aliza Mae, the most pleasant surprise yet. 2. Ava’s continuous knack to teach me life lessons; those of humanity, courage & tolerance especially. 3. Mom, she is my respite and often times my bank roll. I LOVE MY MOMMY! 4. The Children’s Hospital, we spent more time than ever in Aurora this year. 5. Topamax and its end to a long, tough bout of insanity (and pain) for all of us. 6. Preschool and

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-52266416454740915362009-12-16T10:43:00.001-07:002009-12-16T10:44:56.002-07:00

I have had some nice conversations recently about Christmas, religion and the lessons we take from the season regardless of our spiritual beliefs. I’m sure it’s no surprise to most of you that I am not a spiritual believer in ideas like monotheism and Mary’s Immaculate Conception. Let’s just say my spirituality was not founded inside the walls of some brick institution pounding in the ideas (or

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-22472220820684879622009-12-09T10:51:00.000-07:002009-12-09T10:51:37.249-07:00

It's that time of year again...as routinely scheduled, my bah humbugs have shown up. Last year I took a break from them and I’m sure it had something to do with being nine months pregnant. After all, who gives someone that round and hormonally challenged gruff? Even Santa knew better. I’m not sure what particular thing it is about this season but it completely sucks the merry out of me. Maybe it

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-47447445074889734292009-11-27T17:22:00.000-07:002009-11-27T17:22:10.729-07:00

To Ava's dismay, we took the girls for photos today. Aliza has never had photos taken so the focus was on her, especially with her sister's attitude towards the situation and day. As you can see, Aliza also had her moments.  I will reconsider pictures next holiday season!  Here's a preview of the frantic photo shoot...

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-56492228727844178382009-11-23T21:04:00.001-07:002009-11-25T19:49:03.023-07:00

The season of giving certainly is around the corner. Guilty of giving the faithful I-270/Quebec bum tissue packs this past week and I’ll admit I’m not big on supporting corner bums; they probably make way more cash than I. He has occupied the same corner for the past 3 years Ava and I have taken the trip to Anchor Center for the great ‘Thanksgiving Feast’ so why not spice up the last one a bit? I

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-32155910276227558962009-11-11T14:25:00.000-07:002009-11-11T14:25:51.526-07:00

In my mind, sometime during my childhood, appeared a nice plaid bag. It was an empty bag that seemed large and hollow through the eyes of such a young, innocent, naive child. The instructions accompanying this piece of luggage simply stated, you will need this on your journey through life; fill, empty and refill wisely. I have had an overwhelming response to my last blog. I feel like I need to

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-51067683612286007692009-11-06T17:03:00.000-07:002009-11-06T17:03:51.889-07:00

My week has been inundated with the Department of Health and Human Services. In general these are not people that make for pleasant conversation topics. It started like this… Ring, Ring, Ring. “Hello” I need to speak to a parent of Ava Jaksha, please. “Speaking” What is your name? “I’m Amanda, her mother.” I’m calling to speak with you about Ava’s eligibility for the HOSPICE WAIVER. “What

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-84857463391051452522009-10-31T20:37:00.000-06:002009-10-31T20:37:22.533-06:00

It's my favorite holiday and was the best to date since I've had children.  We kicked it off by Trick or Treating in Old Town, Ft Collins, yesterday with mom, my friend Heather and the girls' friend Samantha.  We finished the morning off with a nice lunch at Rasta Pasta over a beer. Today, mom came out and helped us.  We took the girls Trick or Treating around the neighborhood early evening

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-63479126284513872072009-10-25T19:55:00.000-06:002009-10-25T19:55:56.889-06:00

Here’s the skinny on the circle…. Aliza Mae: October 20th - 9 months old 22 lbs 14 oz 29 ¾” She is crawling everywhere and pulling up on anything she can. She babbles a lot and has a great sense of humor. I must admit she brings a lot of fun to the house. She eats anything she can and shovels it in like there will never be another meal. She also LOVES to root like a piggy in her crib;

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-3741682047841904122009-10-12T10:33:00.000-06:002009-10-12T10:33:22.563-06:00

Fall time on the Front Range means ski season in the high country and that makes me smile. I love fall and I must say that skiing has grown on me since moving to this beautiful state. Last week a couple of ski areas opened and I can hear a faint echo….Amanda, ski Loveland, we have plenty of Miller Light at the Rathskellar for you. Since my last post we celebrated a 4th birthday, got the icks (

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-36333266316967635162009-09-14T09:45:00.005-06:002009-09-14T11:13:10.877-06:00

It seems to be getting harder and harder for me to find time to update this blog. The thing with that is I like to update my blog, it provides me with 10-15 minutes of time for myself. Better yet is that I am starting to gauge my "wellness" by the number of blogs I post in a month...it is therapeutic in nature to let all my frustrations bleed out through my fingertips.So, let the therapy begin!

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-88209640564064019352009-09-02T13:51:00.015-06:002009-09-02T14:50:03.890-06:00

Finally I am going to blog about my big summer event. Can you believe it? Most of you are probably thinking; Sunset what?? Here is what Anchor Center posted on their website about the event:By all accounts, this year’s Sunset in the Country Dinner and Auction, held on July 31, was the best ever. A record 600 guests and 54 table hosts partied under the big tent, sublimely decorated in shades of

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-42077742533901709592009-08-31T14:03:00.009-06:002009-08-31T14:35:15.759-06:00

Here we are; two preschools, a Chinese Medical Doctor and many long hard months behind us. Best of all...tomorrow marks the BIG birthday month in our house, lots of cake to eat this month and one 4-year old coming up. What does she want for her birthday?16" Ocean Drum - West MusicWinter Coat (Size 5)Socks - (around size 9)Hat & GlovesSnow Boots (Size 8 1/2)Ava seems to be getting back to her

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6954942514737210519.post-50689648436528034692009-08-16T21:11:00.000-06:002009-08-16T21:11:15.935-06:00

Hello preschool! Yep, it is already that time of year, Tuesday was Ava's first day of school at Anchor in Denver. A week from tomorrow she will start at her home preschool in Milliken. Why Milliken? It is the only preschool in the RE5-J district. Tentatively we plan to have her in pre-kindergarten ONLY at her home school in Johnstown next year but we will cross that bridge when we get there.I

Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10882969274259097727noreply@blogger.com0