Merry Christmas!

Thank you Ladies over at Parc Lane Training center! You guys rock! Just so everyone knows, All the girls were sick in these pictures. We were the last family in to get them done. They got us in and out. Pictures are worth so much to me. Its a moment in time stopped.

All photo's are property of the Roddy Family Blog!

Christmas Picture's

Gabriella

                                         "The Girls" Kiera, Kirstynn, Jazmyne, and Gabriella

All Pictures of property of the Roddy Family Blog.

Happy 10th Birthday Kiera!



(Photo property of "The Roddy Family Blog")

Time is just flying by. Kiera turned 10 on December 13! I know 10! No longer single digits! With that said she is one happy girl. John and I surprised her with a Cell phone last week! She had a great Birthday party with family and friends! Happy Birthday Princess. Hope it was everything you dreamed of!

Christmas is on its way!

As a family we LOVE Christmas. This is the tree after it was all decorated up! Oh now the kids just cant wait!

One Last Time

Cleaning through the cabinets the other day I came across a bag I had place there around 6 months ago. I almost cried when I saw it. Inside this walmart bag held a part of the past I was not ready to part with. I guess I had forgot the emotional attachment the bag held to me. This bag represented a big part of my life for the last 2 years. My life revolved these items. These items saved my daughter life, and made so she could live. Inside this bag was...... Gabby's bottles. I know something to trivial to many, but this is how i connected with her. Good and bad times. I cant say thank you enough to my sister for showing us these bottles. I think Gabby would have had her feeding tube place months before if it were not for these. I stood there thinking about them and what to do with them. Jazmyne came up from behind me and said the following words " You know mommy there has to be another baby who needs them bottles, you should give them to another baby" I guess all this "cleaning" out of our house had made her see that somethings are best to be given on. So we got out the bottles and washed them all up. She helped me dry them and piece them back together. One Last Time. When we were all finished I felt a sadness come over me. Again, part of me wants Gabby to still eat by mouth. Part of me wants that bonding time with her. I know its better for her not to eat by mouth. It will leak into her lungs and create many problems. So I took pictures of her bottles........... I am going to try and sell them but part of me wants to just stick them back up in the cabinet. I don't know if I can hand them to someone else. To watch that dream drive away.........

The unforeseen side of having a special needs child

Over the past two years I have learned more than most. But some of what life had in store for me I never knew. When we found out about Gabby I had no clue the financial strain it would put on our family. I have seen my children go from being selfish to selfless. I has an adult have learned that many of my "needs" were very much wants. I have learned to live with out, and learned to adapt what we have already available to us. About a year ago I was told how "unfair" it was that a local church gave us two $100 gift cards to purchase Christmas gifts for our children. It if was not for the salvation army, a local church and family my children would not have been able to have a Christmas. I have been made to feel ashamed that I do receive Food Stamps ($243 a month to feed a family of 6 that is around 60 a week) and our children do get all their copay's covered though state insurance, but even with this help most months we end up in the hole to this day. It if was not for the local help we receive this past month there is no way we would be able to have payed our bills. Within one month we made 6 trips to Akron, 1 trip to Toledo, several trips to Paulding (therapy and medication pick up), and 4 trips Antwerp and one to van wert (Formula pick up). Each trip to Akron is $100, a trip to Toldeo is $50, each trip to Antwerp being around $7, around $8 to go to Paulding and Van Wert is $20. So total in gas spent last month was $725+. Please don't forget this is just one child. We have 3 others. They are often told they have to "wait" until the last day of the book fair, because we have to scrape up the money for it. They are often told they can wear their shoes just one more month because there is no way for us to be able to get new ones that month. If I were to do a monthly breakdown of our money coming in to money going out, people would often see that we don't have it all that good. I am unable to work, If I were to work there would be to much income and we would loose Gabby's state insurance. There is no possible way I could afford her copays(Each surgery would be thousands). If I don't work we barley make it. We went from being a two income family to a one income family. I hate getting the mail most days knowing there will be a bill in it. John makes 11.83 an hour to provide for all of us. So to everyone that thinks we get it so easy, Just think how often your child goes to the Doctor, once every couple of months. I go monthly, several times a month. I spend hundreds a months on gas. Not including anything else Gabby may need. Then there are all my other children's needs/wants. I am not the only family out there like this. Know anyone with a special needs child? I am pretty sure there story will be almost the same as ours. You make a scarifies having a child like mine. You give up your life you put it on hold. You give up on owning that 100,000 house. Because you realise that a 44,000 one can do the same. I have learned to be thrifty with my money. I make ever dollar go as far as possible. Garage sale going on, but you find me there. I do have a small room full of items that most people consider "hoarding" but I know when I need it I have it. I purchased that item when I got it almost free. Because that was the only time I could afford it. Our Christmas this year wont me massive, in fact it will be just perfect. I have got most of our Christmas gifts on clearance over the past year. I will go on Black Friday hoping I can get the "big item" on sale. So this Christmas when you see that donation box at the store think about picking up an extra item and putting it in. Or when you see an angel tree consider buying one of the items. Its family's like ours that are on that tree(I can say for the first year since Gabby was born I have done Christmas all on our own). I have no problem saying yes we have gotten help...we will still get help from local sources(for gas to go on some of these trips). Everyone that has helped us has been an "angel" to us. So consider this year being that "angel" to a family out there. I know what a weight it took off our shoulders. :)

Honor Roll~Kiera & Kirstynn~ 1st nine weeks

Kiera and Kristynn both made Honor Roll this nine weeks. They also received the C.A.R.E.S award! You both make me so proud! :) Keep up the great work! I am blessed to be your Mom, and be able to teach and help you learn your way though life! I have had the honor to help Kiera since First Grade, (She only live with us part of Kindergarten) but I must say we are doing something right! She is one smart cookie. Kirstynn has blown my mind since day one. Her ability to retain the information is superb. Keep up the great work my Princess's! I love you both so much!

Student of the Week!

Well last Friday after school the girls came running in after school fighting to tell me first they both got student of the week! I cant say how proud I am of Kiera and Kirstynn! Keep up the great work girls!

Its been 2 years already!

As I am flipping though facebook today, I came across a post from 2 years ago today. Here is what the post read:
On this day in 2009 you posted:Today gabby has her first PT, OT and vision therapy !! I cant wait!

What a long trip this two years has been. I have meet some of the greatest people I know. When therapy first stated I had so many fears. I had no clue what to expect, or what would happen. I in someways was I felt as a parent we were not adequate to have her. I felt as I could not and was not able to provide her with what she needed. It is a hard feeling being a mom of a special needs child. You cant make it better, you have people you have never meet before in your life telling you how to raise your child. You have people judging you, and your every move. I almost morned for Gabby when therapy first started, it was the reality that I was admitting that she was going to be different. I have learned so much since then. In no way was I failing her, or was I inadequate  as her mom. How would I know what to do for her? I am not a PT, OT, or a vision therapist. Thank goodness along the way I have had a great team of people "Family"to us that have guided us along the way. I cant say thank you enough to everyone who has worked with Gabby and who currently works with her. I see her do something new everyday. The amount of support and resources that have been provided to us has been above and beyond. The people along the way have all taught me a thing or two. I love watching Gabby smile laugh giggle, and yes even cry. These are all emotions she was never to be able to feel. We used to pray before she was born that our only wish was that she was happy. Most days she is happy. She beets the odds daily. She have so much strength.Kinda odd a year old child can show me what perseverance is, and how to be a better happier person. She struggles daily but yet never gives up. If we all had to fight this hard to stay alive........ Just think of how strong we would all be. I know therapy has opened doors for Gabby and us. It has made me a better mom, I now have a voice. I know when to walk away from crappy doctors, know when to fight harder for what I believe in. Thank you again everyone. Gabby is doing great! She would not be who she is today with out each and everyone of you! 

Jazmyne's First day of Preschool

Well today was Jazmyne's first day of Preschool at the "big kid school"! I am very sad to see her growing up so quick. Time is just flying by. She was very happy to get into her room, and see everyone. When I went to leave she did not even care. I asked for a kiss and hug and she asked me to leave because she was busy.(The teacher had them practice writing their names) I wish she could stay little for just a bit longer. My house is so quiet today! I hope you have a great first day princess! I love you!

Kirstynn did it!

Kirstynn did it tonight, she rode her bike with out training wheels! I am so proud to see her do it. She is growing up so fast! I love you Chubba's! :) 

First Day Of School at Payne Elementary

Look at them good looking Kiddo's. They are all getting so big. We had a large case of the "nerves" this morning, but with a little reassurance it all worked out. Dillon has made some new friends, Kiera made some new friends as well. Kirstynn just took off down the hallway! :) They were kind enough to allow the kids to come early to the school this morning. All Kiera and Dillon's teachers were waiting on us, to give them a private tour of their rooms, and of the area they will be sitting in. They each got to find their lockers, and Kiera decorated hers. When they returned home from school they were all happy! I don't think we could have asked for a better first day! :)

Just ONE

Just one, Just on person can change your day, just one person can ruin your day. just one person can make you feel so many things. Back when Kiera was in Kindergarten her teacher used this idea with a spider plant. She started out the spider plant as a seed. All year long her class got to watch in grow. Then is sprouted little shoots. By the end of the year she had a large plant and enough shoots to send one home with each child. Well we took that small shoot, and grew it into a large plant. Our plant has put out many shoots to which we have shared with about everyone we know. In life we must remember our actions can affect anyone in anyway. Positive or Negative. I once read on Sara Molitors facebook that you must  be nice to everyone you meet because you don't know who is fighting a battle that day. We all fight battles. Addiction, Depression, medical conditions....the list can go on forever. We may not be able to see who is fighting that battle by looking at someone as we pass them by. So my food for thought today is. Be kind to everyone we meet. Say Hi to someone whom looks they may need it. Offer help to others, even when they don't ask for it. I as a person fight depression. There are days I don't want to get off my couch. I feel I have no control over what is going on in my life. But I know tomorrow will come, the sun will rise. We all fail some days, its what happens the next to how we define our lives. You never know....... Just remember to be the Just one who is known for helping another in a positive way.

Meet Meeko

Well after loosing Buddy we went thought the if we want to get another dog stage. Well as fate would have it we have found another. His name is Meeko. He is in a local kill shelter and I could not pass him up. Honestly look at that face. We put in our application and have been waiting to hear back. We got the go ahead today, and are going Friday afternoon to get him. First we are going to see how he reacts to Gabby and the other kids, but from what we have been told is he is great with kids. Loves people and just loves to be next to anyone. I know not some fierce guard dog, but simply just adorable! :) I cant wait to get him.

Sometimes you must improvise!

Last night Kirstynn and Jazmyne asked me for some glue. I was in the middle of hooking Gabby up to eat, and simply responded "We are out, if you had kept yours picked up they would not be all gone" About 30 minutes later I could hear them just laughing...and laughing... I simply just chucked it up to them being them! When I went to clean the Kitchen before bed I stumbled across these under the table. They decided they wanted to make "art" and instead of using glue, they used BUBBLE GUM! So these funny looking faces are made with bubble gum and Cheerios! The top is Kirstynn's and the bottom Jazmyne's. It's moments like this when I must just laugh. I think how their jaws had to hurt from chewing all that up! Mostly it made me smile, and think of how lucky I am! :)

Summer Fun

This is my favorite part of summer. Grilled food! Meals are the  one time of the day we are all sitting still, talking and enjoying each other. (It was by far Yummy, and I think we will be doing more of it now that our garage is all cleaned out!) 

Rite Aid 8-9-2011

Well I happen to stumble across a good find today. So here it is:

Air Wick are 50% off at rite aid. The small ones are 9.99, so it makes them 4.99!

Air Wick 10*4.99=49.90

air wick compact coupons for $4.00*10=40.00

Total Cost 10.59

Original cost 10*9.99=99.90

I can tell you I will have one great smelling house! :)

The long awaited day has come!

Well the long awaited day has finally come! Kiera and Dillon are now registered students at Payne Elementary! I cant wait to see what this year will bring. I know there will be ups and downs, but I will enjoy being a family again! Kirstynn is excited to be able to show her big sister and big brother the school, and Jazmyne gets to be in the big school with everyone! I cant wait to have the older ones here. I have yet to miss a first day of school since I have been with John. I cant wait to see Dillon make some healthy friendships at school! And hopefully for the first time in almost a year do good in school again. It will hopefully be a fresh start he needed! As for Kiera she just cant wait to be around her cousins! I know she will also make some great friendship's as well. Bring it on school year 2011/2012! The Roddy family is here!

Rite Aid 8-7-2011

Here was this weeks Rite Aid trip. Not to big, but I only buy what we will need! :)

Transaction #1:

Degree Deo 2@ 2.00= $4.00

2-Spin Brush BOGO= 7.69

2-Orajel Toothpaste BOGO=5.49

Total: $17.18

Coupons Used:

Degree deo .75*2=1.50

Spin Brush 2.00

Orajel Toothpaste 1.00

10.00 up from last week

Total Saved: 14.50

Tax: .12

Total Spent: $2.80

***Then when you purchased 2 degree deo you received a $2.00 UP***

***When you purchased any $10 on Spin Brush/Orajel you received a $3.00 Up*

Transaction #2

Degree Deo 2 @ 2.00= 4.00

Total $4.00

Coupons Used

Degree deo .75*2=1.50

2.00Up

Total Saved:3.50

Tax: .04

Total Spent: .54

*****Then when you purchased 2 degree deo you received a $2.00 UP***

I only spent $3.34 and the Total Retail Value of everything: $40.14

Rest In Peace Buddy

We have had a very hard week in our family! When we returned to Ohio on Saturday we got more bad news. Buddy had been in an accident, and passed away. I don't know why God decided to take another family member of ours? I could not even tell the kids, my dad did. Buddy was my dog, he was my best friend. He was my ears at night(I have hearing loss) he was my friend to talk to on nights Gabby wont sleep. He was my best friend, he was another child to me. He never got mad at me, never talked back, and was always happy to see me. I miss him dearly. I am at a loss. I wake up to find him not in bed with me, or hear a funny noise and realise he is not there to bark at it. I know he was just a dog to some, but he was my best friend. I will miss you Buddy!

Rest In Peace Phillip

Tonight God asked my brother-in-law to come join him in heaven. He had been in a bad motorcycle accident on Friday night.(thank you everyone for all the prayers) He was not wearing a helmet(PA law does not require a bike rider to wear one)and hit a deer then was thrown from his bike. I don't know how to bury another family member right now. We buried Jason (his only son)a little over 5 months ago. Phil hung on for over 3 days, but God must have needed another guardian angel in heaven. Rest In Peace Phil, I know you will be missed by many. Please continue to pray for John's Mom and Dad, and the rest of his family. They need all the support they can receive. Everyday we receive here on earth is a gift from God, it is only our temporary home until he calls us to sit next to him. Be kind to everyone you see or meet for you never who God will call next.

The family decided to have Phil buried on top of Jason.They are now as close as they could be They are now looking over the woods next to each other. When we got to their house on Friday John and I were both worried there would be a negative feel their. Ironically when we entered the house it was peace. You could tell life had stopped in its tracks, but it was almost like they were inviting us in. I believe that when Phil would tell John about seeing Jason around, it was him waiting on him to come join him in a better place. Both Jason and Phil fought daemons daily, and they are now at peace. They don't have to fight anymore. We miss them, the kids miss them. It almost don't seem real. John has lost his two best friends. I cant imagine what Mom and Dad are going though. So please keep them in your prayers. There is nothing easy about death especially when it comes before someones time. The only thing that gives me peace is knowing they are in a better place together.

Rite Aid

Most Sundays I head off to Rite Aid ! Here was my good deals today! It was broke into 3 transactions. Lingo: UP=Rite Aid money, BOGO=Buy one get one

Transaction #1:

4 Old Spice Body Wash @3.98 *4=$15.84

4 Old Spice Body Spray @3.98*4=$15.84

1 Dawn @.97

Total: $32.81

Coupons used:

Old Spice product's BOGO-3.98*4=15.92

4 Old Spice: 1.00 when you Buy 2 old spice products

Dawn .50

5 $2.00 UP's

Total Coupons: $30.42

Tax: .17

Grand Total Spent:$2.56

*Then when you purchased any $30 of P&G products you received a $10 up.

Transaction #2:

Gillette fusion razor $9.99

Gillette fusion Razor $9.99

Total:19.98

Coupons used

Gillette Razor $4.oo*2= $8.00

$10 Up

Total Coupons used: $18.00

Tax: .14

Grand Total Spent:$2.12

*For each Razor you received a $5.00 Up

Transaction #3

4 Old Spice Body Wash @3.98 *4=$15.84

4 Old Spice Body Spray @3.98*4=$15.84

1 Dawn .97

Ear Drops 6.56

Total: $39.37

Coupons used:

Old Spice product's BOGO-3.98*4=15.92

4 Old Spice: 1.00 when you Buy 2 old spice products

Dawn .50

2 #5.oo UP

Total Coupons: $30.42

Tax: .63

Grand Total Spent:$9.58

*Then when you purchased any $30 of P&G products you received a $10 up.

I would say a pretty good day! I spent $14.26 total for 20 items. Retail Value of: $122.12

Shopping Trip 7-29-2011

Well I am also going to share with everyone about how I save money on everyday items on my blog! I am proud of saving so much money! Its how we make our dollar streeeetch the most! Now I sometimes may pay a little more for and item, but there is always the cost of gas, and time spent getting there and home. With Gabby we have a 3 hour window between feeds, so I try and stay closer to home. Here was today's trip to Dollar General:

Purchase #1:

Tide $6

Tide$6

Dr. Scholls: $10

Green Works:$2

Green Works$2

Total: $26.00

Coupons used:

Tide:2.00

Tide:2.00

Dr.Scholls:2.00

Green Works:1.00

Green Works:1.00

Super Friday DG coupon: 5.00

Total: 13.00

26.00-13.00=13.00

Tax:1.47

Grand Total: 14.47

Purchase #2

Gain Liquid:$6

Gain Powder $5

Gain Powder$5

Christmas Items(not posted in picture) $10

Total:$26.00

Coupons used

Gain:1.00

Gain:1.00

Gain:1.00

Super Friday DG coupon: 5.00

Total:8.00

26.00-8.00=17.00

Tax:1.40

Grand Total: 18.40

Whole shopping trip:

32.87-Christmas gifts=22.87 for everything pictured!!

That is only 2.83 per item, and it works out to be around .09 a load of laundry! :) Happy Shopping!

Gabby's new Mickey button

Getting Gabby's feeding tube was a very hard day for me. We spent months deciding over it. Even back when we lived in Ligonier. We had a doctor tell us its enviable. She will need it at some point. I had wanted to prove him wrong. He said she could die at any moment with out it(Due to not getting enough nutrition, or if she would get sick). She was only 6 months old at the time. There was no way I would ever fail her that much that she would need a feeding tube. As the months went on Gabby kept gaining weight.It may have only been a pound or two. But then around her first Birthday she got sick, and lost the ability to eat baby food. She never regained the ability to eat again. Over the next 9 months my life revolved around her feeding schedule. If that meant 3 am feedings, then I would do it. My life was on a Gabby schedule. Trying everyday to get them 32 ounces of formula into her. I felt like a failure, that I could not make her eat enough. I could not spread apart her feeding enough to keep her from vomiting. I was failing as her Mom. I could not make her eat enough anymore. She stopped gaining weight, when I did get her to gain weight, she would loose it and them some every time she got sick. 20 lbs was her weight give or take a few pounds over 9 months. I would cry about it at night, while she screamed with me. She never slept..... I just did not get it. With some harsh feelings for my self, I decided it was time. I can remember the moment we decided. I cried....and cried...and cried. I at that moment was a failure! I came to grips with it about a week later. We meet with her dentist to have her bottom teeth pulled, and with a gentle shove he explained to me it would be in her best interest. On that Tuesday we saw Pediatric Surgery. I was so nervous.... I now had to tell a room full of Doctors I had failed her. They came in and I could barley talk. After reviewing all the records, and talking to them for almost an hour, we came to an agreement. While she was having her teeth removed they would do their surgery back to back. All we had to do is get the OR extended for 2 hours....I left in tears. Wednesday morning I got the call. They had got the OR extended and it was a go.

Thursday morning came..... We got up and headed to the hospital our arrival time of 5:30am. Such a long ride. Very quiet, not much was talked about between John and I. When we arrived, they whisk us off to a prep room. We spent about 30 minutes there, then they took my baby girl from my arms...... and walked away. It is the worst feeling knowing they are going in to do major surgery on your child. I will never be able to get used to that feeling. We spent about 5 hours waiting. The surgeon returned and pulled us into a private room. He informed us that she did great, and would be in post opp waiting on us. There was a minor incident, and since he was an honest man he wanted to tell us. On Gabby's last stitch the needle broke inside her. They ended up spending about 45 minutes getting an X-Ray machine to the OR, making an extra incision, then getting it back out and making sure there was no other damage done.

After we got up to our room I was a nervous wreck. Then this great Nurse came in sat next to me and started teaching me everything. She told us what we would need to know, and made us do everything with her to Gabby. :) It was great having someone who cared. When we returned home Gabby was still very sore and grumpy. I did freak out two days later when she yanked on the tube and there was blood everywhere. Thank goodness for Visiting Nurse's in Paulding who let me bring her into the office to get her seen right then and there! She had only ripped a stitch, but there was allot of blood. So I was not going crazy, they helped me get it all cleaned up...and out the door we went! The next couple weeks went with out any incidents! I was getting used to the feeding schedule, and Gabby was gaining weight for the first time in almost a year. Then something great happened....Gabby started sleeping all night for the first time in her life! Yep in bed by 11 and back up at 8!

I now see I did not fail her as a mom for not being able to make her eat enough. If anything I failed her by not getting her feeding tube any sooner! She has gained almost 6.10 lbs in a little under 8 weeks, she is much healthier, happy child. She is starting to use her legs more, and best of all she is not fighting to say alive. I sometimes wish that just maybe I would have listened to that Doctor back in PA. I wonder what she would be doing if we had it put in them. But I cant live in the past, I cant live on what-ifs. I have to live with what is here and now! And right now Gabby is laying next to me on the floor squealing with her cousin Makalya screaming back!

I saw this the other day..It is my last and final thought for the day:

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

~ Mother Teresa

Out with the old, in with the new!

We did it, John and I are going to buy a new van! (Well we already did) We have been looking for a couple months now. It is allot harder to come across a larger van these days. The ones we have come across have been wrecked, or the millage has been to high for the amount they wanted. We figured it would happen when it was meant to happen. Well 4 days ago my Dad called me saying to look on ebay. He had stumbled across the perfect van for the perfect price! We won it at auction 2 days later!! Never would I have thought we would find our van on Ebay. We headed up to the bank to get our loan.... I was very nervous about this part! I guess all that hard work of paying off some of our debt before Gabby was born helped us more than I thought. We got the loan, and I was even told what we have to do to our credit before we can get our mortgage! Honestly its not that much. I always thought we were on a long up hill battle...but really its just a small hill! We now have a finical plan, and know where we need to go! I cant wait to go pick it up!!!

Sometimes it all about taking the plunge

As I watched Kirstynn take her first dive off the large diving board at Donna's house on Saturday I realised so many times in life we are held back as adults. We worry about what others think, how they will react. If we could all just take that first step...it will usually lead to another. The fear of going off that high dive had to scare her. I watched as the board moved with each step, her eyes got large, and larger. Then she walked to the end looked around, and just jumped! I wish as an adult I could just jump so many times. I fear how others will react to every step I take. I worry about what others will say. I am glad I don't see these insecurity's in my children, I am glad I am raising them to be confident of themselves. I saw with my own eyes how she did not fear the failure, or even have the fear of the plunge. I guess I need to take some of her life lessons and just take the plunge....... Tomorrow will be a new day, the sun will always rise....and set. I guess it what I do between them hours is all that counts!

Well I am back

So Ladies and Gents I have decided today is my day........ To start this blog and get it going! Life seems to good right now to pass it up. So here are some pictures from last week, with our family in PA. I figured I would have to start somewhere. Court went as good as we could ask for. The kids are adjusting very well. I can hear them building a little town fort upstairs. In the last couple of months I almost lost sight of who I am and where I wanted my life to be. We have purchased our little home, and I think living the american dream!

Happy 2nd Birthday Gabriella!!

It was to be a perfect birthday for Gabby other than Silly Mommy put some frosting from the cupcake in her mouth. I did it more for the pictures only to have it backfire....Gabby spent most of her real Birthday puking! I should have known better~Infact I do know better, I just wanted that perfect picture. To bad I not only missed that perfect picture, I spent it cleaning up after her! We then had a Birthday party for her at my parents house. It did not go in any way how I thought it would. She spent most of it with John, me and a few of my family members, with a random visit inside from the other family. I guess other than a few family memebers to them it was just a swim party....... Her cupcakes were being ate, and not one person even considered ..... singing Happy birthday to her before they dug into them. If it had not been for my mom, no one would have even gathered in the Living Room to sign it to her.I guess people look at her differently. They cant see she does have feeling..... Maybe she dont get upset that they ate her cupcakes with out singing, but I sure did. I spent most of that night considering never having a Birthday party again... for any of my kids. I never thought that at her Birthday party no one would hold her, or even stay inside to play with her....I guess swimming was more important. I did not even get to get any pictures at her party with anyone other than my children and I. NO one even really cared to get a picture with her............
So it leads me to this, I dont really care if you missed out. I did not, my kids did not, and the people who really cared did not. As for everyone else that did, I guess its your loss. YOU MISSED OUT! On someone really special's birthday. There is no promise that she will get another......

Kiera and Dilly are here for a summer visit! :) What fun we have had! Playing at the park, and just being a family again has done me so much good! I cant wait for them to be here all the time again. We have been missing part of our family and it is so nice to have my house full of noise again! I cant hear Mom enough, and I love just snuggling with them or building lego's with Dilly. (Dont tell Dillon his Lego skills are way better than mine, He can build a space ship and I am lucky to build a box car) But its all about rebuilding our family..... On to the future......

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo 6-12-2011

Back Row: Gabby Alli, Morgan, Kiera, Skylar, Dillon

Front Row, Kirstynn Corbin, and Jazmyne

This was a massive trip for John and I! We took all them kids to the zoo with us! We ended up taking the van and the blazer, but it was a blast! Each of the kids had a buddy, and I walked in front of the line and John walked last with Gabby. All the kids got to each a picnic lunch next to the giraffes, and then feed the giraffes lettuce. I love my family!

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

~Fort Wayne Children's Zoo~

May 2011

* The little boy is Corbin my nephew*

We purchased our Zoo membership for the first time this year! We love the Fort Wayne Children's zoo. Its more spaced out, the kids get more time to "examine" each animal, and the animals seem to be more free than other Zoo's. All of our kids, nieces, and neighbor kids that have come with us truly enjoyed themselves. I love that you can eat a picnic lunch right next to the giraffes. They walked right up next to us. After we were done eating, the kids each got a chance to feed them lettuce. You would not believe how LONG their tongues are! Yucky. We have been several times, and will be sure to get a new membership next year!

*Jazmyne next to a dinosaur head!

*Jazmyne, Corbin and Kirstynn in the play Dino eggs*

Kirstynn next to the Dino head!

A ride on the carousel. You should have seen their faces when it first started to move.