Happy Thanksgiving

To celebrate the day, today Grandpa & Grandma came over for dinner. Amelia made everyone their own placemat, both girls drew Thanksgiving themed pictures for the walls, and we made the turkey with all the trimmings.

My side of the family got together this past Sunday for brunch.

Today, we've been busy cooking, and packing for our surprise trip to Florida. Dave, Drew & I are in on the secret, but the girls have no idea that we'll be waking them up early and heading out in full pj mode. The kids really love being on the road!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nap time.............

couldn't come fast enough today......

That's Jenna in the medicine cabinet, and then there's Jenna helping herself to a snack. Note the kitchen disarray as it is, but she still manages to find something to climb.

At first she was getting into the lower cabinets, then it progressed to standing on drawers to get into higher to reach drawers, then it moved to climbing on the desk over the counter, and now - pulling a chair up - playing on the computer and then getting into the top cabinets.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Daisy Troop Investiture Ceremony

That's Amelia last night receiving her Daisy pin from her troop leaders.

Long Beak Dinosaurs

It was a great Saturday to chill out! Amelia transformed herself into a Pterodactyl, or was she a Long Beak Dinosaur? She won't tell....no really she won't! When Ava came home, Amelia did the same for Ava - tail, wings, claws, and beak. The frightening photo above was taken before the girls went outside. They played for over 4 hours outside this afternoon, and also convinced their backyard buddies to transform themselves into dinosaurs. Drew & Dave took a much needed rest, and that's my sweet Jenna in the picture spot. She knows when I take out the camera that most of the time I ask the girls to stand against this wall in the kitchen.. so now Jenna sees the camera and she takes her spot!

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

I've talked about Andrew and his battle with daily seizures before, so that's not new to note today.... but in my little way to try to raise awareness and understanding of Epilepsy and our entire family's struggle, here are a few facts about Epilepsy that you may find of interest...

WHY: Epilepsy/seizures happen when the electrical system of the brain malfunctions. This malfunction causes an uncontrolled surge of energy through the brain causing unconsciousness and contractions of the muscles. Epilepsy can be caused by abnormal brain development, lack of oxygen, brain injury, brain tumors, genetic conditions, infections, and for many there is never a found cause.

WHO: A whopping 3 million people suffer from some form of Epilepsy. There are over 200,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. 3 MILLION PEOPLE!!!!

ANDREW: Andrew's seizures fall in the syndrome category and are classified as Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). ONLY 1-4% OF PEDIATRIC EPILEPSY CONSTITUTE LGS. LGS is rare and a debilitating form of childhood-onset epilepsy. This syndrome is characterized by frequent seizures, multiple seizure types, a resistance to medication or therapies, mental retardation or regression, and an abnormal EEG. Andrew meets all these criteria. It is highly unlikely that we will ever find medication or a treatment to stop Andrew's seizures. We've been working on that for over 10 years. Andrew continually struggles with daily seizures and their effects. We struggle with what is the least amount of medications we can give to combat the seizures in any way possible, and in turn not leave Andrew in a drug stupor.

10 years ago I knew nothing about Epilepsy, nor did I know anyone who suffered from it, now it is one of the hugest parts of my life.

19

The 2nd - Jenna is 19 months old today. Jenna at this age is always "helpful". Helping Drew with his toys and food, helping the girls with their shoes, socks and backpacks, helping me with the laundry, dishes, e-mailing and whatever else she can climb and run to. If Jenna hears someone even walking upstairs, she has to run up there too so that she can rearrange every item of make up, hair product, soap, cd's, and chemical product she can get her hands on. It's non-stop. The only thing that has stopped Jenna to date is the Halloween mask that Dave wore last week in our nightly spooky story time. Jenna was at my side for awhile after that one. Today is Tuesday and we are all home for Election Day - no school. Prayers for Grandma tomorrow. Hoping her surgery brings her relief just as Dave's surgery did, and that her recovery is quick and easy. We love her very much!