Original Art Work by Grant Naylor!!!

For this past Christmas, I asked my 8 year old G-, for a drawing of him and his little brother. (He’s quite the budding artist, if I must say so myself.) Drawing is something he has just recently decided he likes and of course I LOVE!!! The picture above is what was presented to me on Christmas morning… I can hear ALL the Awwwwes out there!!! I promise I had intentions of having it matted and framed, but for those of you who know me, you know better. (For those of you who are new here, you can read about my Adult with A.D.D. post)

After reading about this great local artist on Seek the Triad, Suzi Cook, I knew what I had to do!!! Fortunately for me, it just so happened to be Mother’s Day was coming soon, so I thought I’d better get my little Picasso made into something I could carry everywhere with me!

My Screen Saver

Don’t you love the details G- added, the orange wheelchair, the matching clothes, the body brace to hold D- in his chair. I do wonder why no hands or feet though, ha ha ha! I’d love to have a physiologist take a look and tell me what they see here. But for me for now, it shows the LOVE a big brother has for his little brother!!! It shows me what unique and individual children I have and how LUCKY I am to be their Mommy!!!

Artist rendention/transformation

Suzi takes your child’s art and turns it into a TRUE work of art!!! ALL you have to do is e-mail Suzi and she will guide you through getting one for yourself too. Here is the black/white conversion. I’m sure she’d rather have a pen drawing, but I couldn’t bring myself to have G- re-draw this precious moment. You can choose from different color leathers too!

finished Product!!!

It wasn’t until the conversion and received my bracelet, that I saw what the whole picture was about… them touching each other!!! G- can’t pass D- without touching him, he loves to show him off to his friends as if he is a prize possession, he has compassion like NO other child I know, that touch is their connection as brothers since words are rarely exchanged. It turns out my gift for Mother’s Day is to see (once again) the love my boys have for each other and that is enough for me!!!

Well… what do you think? I know, I know… I teared up too!!!
SO what inspires me Melissa over at The Inspired Room asks… simply put, my boys!!!

Grant & Drake

Okay, so another week gone by and I “still wasn’t still” (shocker). I did however take a walk with my oldest son G-. I saw our walk through his eyes and took pictures of things he saw. I love this child on a level unlike my second born. Not more, not less, just different. I see a BIG life ahead for him… a GOOD life! He has had to be a stronger child than I was at his age, he has had to watch his little brother (who is special needs) go through so much and I often wonder what he thinks about it all.

a moment with Me & G

from a different point of view...

G- has the most caring heart of any child I know (except when he fired his little friend last week from their new “business ” venture… but that’s another blog post). What do I see as his most valuable asset, the compassion he has learned from his 8 short  years. I, as a mother, could have ever taught him this skill (but cherish that he knows it!). He will be a bigger and better man than most for what he has to deal with in our home living with his little brother.

Walk past this all the time...

Only in our yard!!!

So even though I might not have taken much time for me this week, I took the time to take a walk with G-! I took the time to take a few pictures from his point of view (and look at him with pridefull eyes). I stood still long enough to see that my son is one unlike most his age (on the inside)… yet he yearns to be like all the others. I dread the day someone says something bad to him about his bro… the two share the same heart and I hope they always do.

Just a random flower bush growing

on our front porch

SO to you G-… Mommy’s day to “be still” is dedicated to you.  In hopes that one day too, you will be still long enough to know what an amazement you are to our family and I love you dearly!!! (even if I don’t keep up with your blog well

my boy!!!

Your favorite past time!!!

“T” here with a linkey love note: Make sure to check out my girl MJ at onenuttygirl.com:

Another Linkey love of mine… my BEST blog designer, Darcy!!!:

Carson & Drake

He can’t see, but he shows us what life is really about.
Not the materialistic items, but the love of friends and family.
He can’t hear, but he opened our ears to the important words.
Not all the stories on war and celebrities,
But the three valuable words, “I love you.”

He can’t walk, but his story has traveled to different places.
Wherever it goes, it motivates all.
He can’t talk, but he has told us all about himself.
He reminds people that nothing is too challenging
and that everyone possess strength.

He has never been fed table food, but he feeds us all with inspiration.
His life had been full of doctor’s visits and feeding tubes,
But does he let that stop him? No, he keeps fighting.
He will never be able to lift weights, but he is the strongest person I know.

Written by: Carson Lamb
{My 16 year old niece}

I was inspired by Melissa at the Inspired Room today (but her button was broken I looked back at my beautiful neice and her kind heart and just wanted to share!!!

Comfort Zone

So I was sitting there rocking Drake at 5:30 this morning (his usual wake time since birth). He does sometimes sleep in till 6:30, and yes… daddy gets his share of early mornings too!

Maybe I was tired that my husband was out of town(again), maybe I was feeling sorry for myself that I never get to sleep past 6:30 (except a few times in the past 4 years), maybe I was burnt out on watching my son vomit almost daily (if not twice daily) for over a year, maybe I thought about the fact that I would be changing his diaper for the rest of his life ( even when he’s grown and too big to pick-up), maybe I was wondering if the doctors will ever figure out why Drake continues to have episodes of passing out, maybe I was feeling guilty that I’m tired of doing this already… and he’s only 4.

Then what came on TV??? It was a commercial about some college or some store selling something to go to college. I don’t recall which one, that’s not important. It was a beautiful picture of this mom and her son; getting him ready for college, they had gone and bought some goods for his new dorm room, everything matched down to the cool metal trashcan, they were getting new books and moving him into his “new” life. Now I know this was a “picture perfect” scene, I know it was only a commercial, I know that college is expensive (no comparison to the costs of a SN child!!!), I know it always seems greener on the other side… but it still hurt.

I don’t quite know why, I know I’ll get to experience it with my oldest if that’s the route (God willing) he chooses, but I felt sad for Drake (or mostly for me). I felt like I would still be sitting in that same green rocking chair in 14 years from now, rocking an 18 year old man. It sadden me to think he’d never be on his own and that my husband and I would never be “Empty Nester’s”. It hurt that I thought such depressing things.

When what do you know… the commercial was over, I looked down at that sweet angle pie who was finally asleep. Knowing he is safe in my arms, knowing that he is a happier child today than he was3 1/2 years ago, knowing that he never has to give a thought about being hungry, knowing that in his world “Life is Good”, knowing that at any moment this could all come to an end and knowing that one day I will look back on these days and wish I hadn’t wished them all away.

So as for today, the T.V. industry will never know the impact some silly commercial had on me. More importantly Drake will never know I had a tough morning with him… at least for today.

you make mommy smile!

{Please Note: This is a re-post from Drake’s Blog. I was just feeling the need to share another side of “T” today… Thanks for reading!}

As 2009 is winding down today, It got me thinking of what a great year it turned out to be. Thought I’d share with you what a whirlwind it has been and how you never know where you’ll be. I didn’t plan on most of these things, God just has a way. I also didn’t put all the bad the year had brought, seems no point to focus on that.

I’m usually am not good at making New Years resolutions (not good at keeping them either). I’d pre-fer the “Winging It” method and see where I land most days. Thanks to ALL my friends and family who have enjoyed the year with me… can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for us!!! Please note: this list is in no particular order… too much work to make my brain choose!!!

1. Spent ALL day at home for Christmas!!!

Home Sweet Home

2. Started a new business venture,

“Seek the Triad“.

Seek the Triad Logo

3. Have learned to take better photos

(not perfect, but better).

why not?

4. Helped start a new fundraiser,

“Blasting for Boobs“.

what a hoot!

5. Week trip to Vegas

Vegas Baby

6. Went to Disney on Make*A*Wish with the Family!

7. Raised almost $60K

for the GSO CP through the DNI.

DNI logo

8. Learned to “let go”

of what I have no control over.

Jer 29:11

9. Have given up scrap-booking

Nice and Neat

10. Bought my first Coach Purse

(I know, I know… it’s a real shocker)

A True Classic

Do you have a “Top 10″ for 2009? It’s a great way to look back and focus on the good! Start one for 2010 if you want to have a little more fun… I’ll probably wait till December 31, 2010 to try this again ~*~*~

So True!

This should be the motto of my life! I love cupcakes, I love everything about them, their size, their round shape (kinda like me, wonder why that is?), their infamous smells, their tiny decorations (even if they’re lacking)! As a matter of fact I have a slight obsession with them that few people know about! I could do a blog on cupcakes alone, but then I’d have to lose my entire family due to the lack of time I have now because of all the other blogging I do!!! Here are a couple pics I can share. Maybe I’ll do a cupcake a week, like my “Coffee Crawl with T~” on Seek… well, maybe more like once a month. Who am I kidding, I’d rather just keep my compulsion to myself and enjoy

Coastal Cupcakes

I even loved the box!

Coastal Cupcakes in Wilmington, NC

Drake’s 4th Birthday, decorated by big brother! DO I see another cupcake lover in the family?

Drake's Birthday Cupcake

Decorated by BIG brother

Maxi B’s:

Maxi B's, Greensboro NC

Seek loves a cupcake too!

Retro Bakery:

Retro Cupcake in Vegas

Is this enough Chocolate?

Is that a cookie on top? Genius!

Only in Vegas

My best Cupcake friend, Grant!!!

sweet treat, sweet smile, sweet boy

freshly decorated by me and Grant

Okay, It’s not that I haven’t wanted to update and post on Vegas… I don’t know where to start!!! For the first time in 38 years, I’ve come to realize… I’m not 21 anymore!!! Who goes to Vegas and wants to take a nap? Who gets blisters on there feet for not remembering to take a pair of tennis shoes (because they don’t look “HOT”)? Who eats and drinks their-selves into a comma… daily? Who gets on a Harley and Rides in the desert in high winds with their Ed Hardy sunglasses? Who gets on a plane for 8 hours just to go to a “Blogger Conference” (SITScation) to hang with some of the greatest bloggers on the web? ME, ME, ME!!!

Me & Leslie on the red carpet.

Yummy Retro Cupcakes!!!

Shop, Shop, Shop

Breakfast at Buchons

Big Balls Store in Vegas

Gelato in Vegas

FAO Schwarz

Trish, Leslie, & Katie

Nigt Life

View from the Hoover Damn

Road side view heading from the Hoover Damn

In-N-Out Burger... a must stop meal!!!

Yum, Yum, Yum!!!

Hottie Hubby on a Harley!!!

Thanks for the Ride Babe!!!

I know, I know, it’s a LOT of pictures!!! You should see the ones I didn’t and couldn’t show (he,he,he). My trip to Vegas was fantastic, thanks to everyone who helped with the kiddos, thanks to my friends who had fun with me and a SPECIAL THANKS to my hubby, Shane, for allowing me the break in life I so desperately needed and joining in the fun!!!

Why do you throw a Christmas party in August? For your son’s birthday of course. For my son, Drake, we had a birthday party with a twist. As some of you may recall, last year for Christmas, Drake ended up sick and in the hospital. As a family, we were overwhelmed by the shear jenerosity of, not just Santa and his elves, but of Brenners Children’s Hospital.
(for more on the story click here)

Before Christmas was even over and our family was healthy and home, I knew what we had to do for Drake’s 4th Birthday. Every year instead of gifts for Drake (quite the bugger to shop for) we pick a charity and have everyone bring items to donate. Then at some point I take all the goods to their destination. Brenners gave not just Drake, but my oldest son Grant a bag, full of toys, bigger than they were! I’m not talking silly, measley, left-over, no kid wants toys… I’m talking age & gender appropriate that they both loved and charished. The memory will last in our family forever. ( It’s especailly hard on a 3 & 6 year old to understand how Santa would find us!) Magic, shear magic!!!

So before everyone arrived, I brought out the Christmas decorations, Christmas candy (still in date), Christmas plates and napkins.

"In Date" Christmas Candy

I even brought down a small tree to decorate so everyone would have a place to put presents.

Merry Christmas in August

Instead of cake, I made christmas cookies and cupcakes.

just a little cupcake love!

Grant (big brother) decorated the one for the Birthday boy himself!

who wouldn't want this special cupcake?

We filled over 5 Extra Large trash bags full of toys and can’t wait to get them over to the hospital!

Toys Galore!

We even had the cutest party favors for each guest. On the big “after Christmas” sale, I found the shiniest, big, round, colorful ornaments. I only spent $25 cents a piece and tied a quote, “We would never learn to be brave & patient if there were only JOY in the world” -Helen Keller. (Thanks Angie for the quote idea)

In the end the idea was a hit! The cost was MINIMAL (if you plan on the after Christmas sales)! The gift of giving back was a gift in itself! And for his first birthday ever, Drake actually participated in the fun of the party, presents and actually tasted the cupcake that big bros. made!!!

I Do!!!

When I was trying to figure out what pics to put on my header, I wanted to include something of me and my husband. I wasn’t crazy about some cutesy picture of the two of us holding hands or kissing or some random shot of the two of us being cheesy like in wedding photos. As I looked down at my fingers surfing the web, there it was like it has been for almost 11 years now, my wedding ring. I took it off and layed on my crisp green laptop to try and give it the “pop” it deserved! As I started taking the photos, one of the pics focused on the inside of my ring, on the inscription. It says, ” I love you with all my heart. 1.8.99″. Even though I chose the picture that showed the diamond better (that’s just the “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” coming out in me), I loved the memories it brought back to me. (It also made me want to get my ring and have it cleaned and polished for another photo shoot of both our rings together)
You know that’s not a place you look everyday. It got me thinking about things over the past 11 years.It wasn’t about the fact that the center diamond came from from grandmother (who was married to my grandfather for almost 51 years), it wasn’t about the fact that marriage isn’t necessarily all “lovey dovey” days (or nights), it wasn’t about the fact that we have made a beautiful family that I am forever grateful for, it was simply about us and our beginning. It was about us… simply us and the day I said, “I Do”. Even though God may have a sense of humor with my life and our family, he knew what I needed in my life on that day, 1.8.99!!!

Some random piece of seaweed

What else do you expect…

I’ll give you two guesses where I was… and the second one doesn’t count!!! Yes, it’s true, I was in hiding and enjoyed every minute of it!!! I took almost 700 pics… don’t ask why. Sometimes I think it’s easier to click and worry about what they are of later. I hate deleting though, it’s like wiping away a dry erase board. I’m constantly worrying that I’ll want it back one day.

I use to be a scrapbook maniac, but time has gotten the best of me and now I find it easier to blog. I just can’t get as many pics as I’d like, other wise this would be a picture ONLY blog.(one day maybe I’ll start a flicker account.. one day!)

Life Truly is GOOD!!!