Monday, May 26, 2008

Memorial Day Parade



I'm so proud of my "Scout", Bradley. Today was the Memorial Day Parade, here, in Lehighton. He doesn't really like parading and complains that it hurts his feet. It's amazing how quickly his attitude changes when he is reminded of the soldiers that have fought and are fighting and how they have and are "marching" in much harsher conditions. Today, he was marching in their honor.

The parade makes two stops. One at the SS Peter & Paul Cemetery and it ends in the Gnaden Huetten/Lehighton Cemetary where they have a memorial service. I buy a Poppy every year and we get an American flag to wave as the paraders march into the cemetary. It's really moving, yet I enjoy it every year.




Just look at how much he has grown in just four years! The pic on the bottom is from when he was a Wolf Cub in 2004. He loves scouts just as much today as he did back then, and so do I! I couldn't be more proud!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Kindergarten Field Day

Today was the 17th Annual Kindergarten Field Day at Corey & Collin's school. The boys and girls competed separately in a few different events. Collin came home today with five ribbons (3 second place and 2 third place), and Corey brought home two (a second place and a third place). It was so cute to watch. All of the kids had a great time and they were all rewarded for their good sportsmanship with a freeze pop. Here are just a few pics:


Sebastian and Corey in the Hula Hoop Race


Austin (he's so adorable!) in the Bean Bag Throw


All of the boys in the Ostrich Race

A nice "air" shot of C&C in the Frog Hop Race

Corey, Austin, and Collin
The whole class
The whole class making silly faces

Collin enjoying a freeze pop

Corey enjoying a freeze pop


Thursday, May 15, 2008

9 months,0.3 miles, and 25 minutes later.....

When I look back now, it doesn't seem like it was that long ago. So much has happened since then, yet time seems to be standing still. It shouldn't have taken so long. I am on my way, and today was a victory for me, in a way. It took 9 months and 0.3 miles, and all of about 25 minutes. Normally, I might feel shame, but I'm learning that it wouldn't be "normal" to feel that.

It was the third day of school when Brad went to Scouts that night and came out with his teeth in his hand. It was also the second to last day of us having health insurance because Dennis changed jobs. I was able to get him in to see the dentist that following day, but we couldn't get it fixed without the insurance.

From that day on, some really weird things happened to me. I never imagined I could feel like I did or that I could cry that much. I had a few panic attacks, went to the ER a few times, had all kinds of tests done, etc. I ruined Christmas, New Year's, and everyone's birthdays. I had not one piece of cake and I cried and apologized as I snapped pics of my boys' birthdays. I was a mess.
Dennis's insurance was supposed to start in October, or so we thought. He asked about it, and his employer said, November, which then changed to December. Dennis finally had insurance, but by that time, the dentist's office was closing for the holidays. Not only that, I still wasn't well enough to make appointments. I didn't know from one day to the next how I was going to feel. It really didn't matter, as it turns out, because the insurance changed as of January 1st!!! Ugh.
I had bloodwork done, more tests, lots of doctor visits, and eventually, at the end of February, beginning of March, my mom came to stay with us. She came to help me because by that time, I wasn't even able to get the boys onto the school bus. I didn't sleep well at night, I woke up with shaky knees, I felt heat in my arms and head. I was throwing up on a daily basis and had no appetite at all. I lost 18lbs in a short period of time.
It is only within the past few weeks that I've been feeling like I might be getting a little better. I've been alright to drive. I had a small panic attack at Brad's concert recently, but I made it through it. I've been well enough that I've been making appointments and plans like crazy!
Brad was hoping that last week he'd get his teeth fixed but because of his bleeding gums, the dentist just gave him a cleaning and told him to brush aggressively and come back in about 5 days. He (the dentist) didn't want the blood to stain the tooth material (I forget what he called it?).
So, after my long novel, here is Brad's before and after pics. I am smiling just as big as Brad is now. I'm so happy to see him so happy. He couldn't stop looking in the mirror.
Oh, and did I mention that the dentist is just 0.3 miles from our house (within walking distance!) and Brad's appointment was at 2:45pm and we were out of there by 3:05pm!! (Thank you, Dr. Sherry!!)
Before:

and after:

He is anxious to go to school tomorrow for all of his friends to see! He'll have to wait almost a week to show his fellow scouts. He's not sure that he'll be able to keep the nickname that they gave him......."Chip". LOL