Let's Do Lunch

It's been about 5 months since my last lunch with girlfriends. It feels equally long since I've been present on this blog. Phew, where to begin. Time to update the family info because we are a family of FOUR! Welcome baby David!

At Home Together!

Two in diapers (but one only at night now!), two non ambulatory (not walking), two crying (but only when tired or hungry), two boys=brothers.  It's been two months of this chaos. PHEW! The grands have literally saved my life on several occasions, especially the night we ALL had the flu and a very selfless grandma stayed on our couch all night so I could sleep.

That couch was my comfortable prison the last 11 weeks of my pregnancy. Yes, that is almost 3 months. And, the last two I was in somewhat active labor, on medication to stop contractions. It was quite something. I watched to many shows to remember and thanked God for our public library where I could download books without leaving my couch!



Painting at School

The Walking Wonder

 

 

 

While I was confined, contemplating what Liam feels like most days, he started to push obstacles out of his way. The distance he is able to walk has probably quadrupled. And, the amazing potty trained boy is decreasing his accidents weekly. He started playing with blocks without a therapist (blocks are a big assessment tool in OT/PT and education)! And, he likes it. He's figuring out the purpose of toys is to play not "work." What a gift to give him a little more normal childhood.

Normal until Dad taught him the word FIDUCIARY. Yup. And, they're working on money matters with the birthday money. But that's a story for another post.

Let it RAIN...in $$$!

Here it comes!

We're enjoying the cooler the weather and the sprinkles.

It's preparing us for fall, school beginning and fundraisers!

And, oh boy is gonna be fun!

We have some fabulous friends and today a random stranger who have offered to run, host, and donate to Let'sMoveLiam! Along with coming up with idea's they've done it all without me!

THANK-YOU!

Here's what you have to look forward to:

August 16 at 6:30 at GIRBC

31 Party!

Come as couples or for a girls night out. Stock up for fall and school with organizational products and great lunch totes. There are fabulous purses too! Thank-you to Joanna Nagangast for donating her proceeds and to GIRBC for the space.

AND, our newest event...I just learned about it today and it's all set up! Thank-you Option 1 Credit Union employee, Emily Elliot and friends for coming up with the idea and getting it done!

September 15 from 7-11PM at the Front Room

PARTY!!

There will be a $10 cover. Emily has arranged for appetizers and drink specials. Live Musical Guest Kari Lynch. If you haven't heard of her yet, she's opening for Maranda Lambert and has been around the GR music scene for a couple years. In addition there are pool tables, darts, other games and hopefully lots of good friends to enjoy the evening with.

September 22 at 8 -it's done! (Weather Permitting)

YARD SALE

If you missed the last one, no worries, more donations have been pouring in and we'll be having another yard sale! If you'd like to donate just email or call or drop it on the porch. If you'd like to help run the sale, great! Otherwise come on out and see the new treasures...pictures to come!

September 29 at 6 TBD location

CARNIVAL!

Fun for all ages! Face painting, food, games, and just good old fashioned fun! Look for the location or if you want to host shoot me an email or leave a comment. Thank-you to Lacey Michael and team for all your hard work and great ideas!  

AND, our newest event...I just learned about it today and it's all set up! Thank-you Option 1 Credit Union employee, Emily Elliot and friends for coming up with the idea and getting it done!

Hopefully, that's something for everyone! If not we're still working on a bake sale for the fall!

Liam's last day of school saying goodbye to Norton. Norton may not be able to communicate and Liam has difficulty interacting physically but their friendship isn't about that. It's about being two little boys.



Coming Right Up

I can't help but think of fruit as jewels. Especially, when they have dew on them and they glitter in the early morning sunlight. Being the cool blueberry patch early Monday morning was, perhaps, the best way to recover from Saturday.

Liam picked and ate his fair share of the jewels. How could he resist? They were sweet, plump, and shimmering navy.

This is how I feel about the upcoming fundraiser, it's irresistible. Most of you know I'm not one to wear jewelry, I've been married for 6 years and still forget my rings! But, I love having the real deal. Stones, shells, and gold and silver that won't tarnish. I'm also not really a big risk taker. Anything, that looks good and is warrantied--people this has me written all over it! I've purchased from this company before so I feel comfortable recommending the products.

Best of all, ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT LET'sMOVELIAM! Win-Win-Win!

Looking forward to seeing anyone who can make it! Please feel free to invite coworkers of friends if they're interested. Or if you'd just like to order and not attend, we can make that happen too!

Friday Night July 20 @ 6:30 at West Cannon Baptist Church

http://www.premierdesigns.com/jewelry.html

http://www.westcannon.org/

Dear Friends,

We are excited to share with you an opportunity for you son Liam. Born with CP, Liam has spent the last four years strengthening his body in traditional Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Special Education. While we plan on continuing to use traditional methods we have seen Liam’s self-confidence weaken. This expresses itself in frustration and lack of motivation, slowing his progress. We decided to look for alternative treatments to improve his attitude and give him the best chance of succeeding in mainstream education.  In the Conductive Learning Center (CLC) we have found a fit for him.

The Conductive Learning Center is a school and therapy center combined. Children with CP or other motor impairments learn along with being physically challenged. This unique approach allows students to spend more time focusing on life skills. Also, being in a setting with peers is extremely motivation.  We are very pleased with the academic focus and the especially the physical learning environment.

We think this is the right fit based on a two month trial at the end of last school year. We saw tremendous progress in basic life skills. Potty training, self-feeding with utensils, lying down and sitting up by himself, assisting with dressing: all areas saw major improvements. And, we saw amazing physical strength. He was able to walk in a walker without any support or assistance! Something he was unable to do before. Most important we see his motivation has returned. Now that the school year has ended he is still making gains.

We hope you will join with us in continuing this wonderful opportunity. Our hope is to enroll Liam fulltime in CLC 2012-2013 school year. We hope this will prepare him for full mainstreaming by the time he enters kindergarten.

Thank-you for your support!

Matt and Betsy (and Liam Nolan)