tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65712712423846531272024-02-18T22:08:14.039-07:00MassagermommyReneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-1758701452452555992012-10-22T12:15:00.000-06:002012-10-22T12:15:54.155-06:00What We've Been Up To While In MichiganHere are a few photos of the super fun things we've done while we've been here. Zak's awesome he is always willing to be on the go with us. (my next post will be all about how Zak is doing at The Conductive Learning Center. I'll work on it later this afternoon) <br />
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We went on the Pumpkin Train with our new friend Kaden and his mommy Leah.<br />
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We went to a farm with Kadens Mommy and Daddy.<br />
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The Gerald Ford Museum, Children's Museum and back to the farm with Nana and Papa Charlan.<br />
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We went to a gala/fundraiser for the school Zak is attending.<br />
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We went to church where our cousin is the youth pastor, after church we had a picnic with our cousins at the beach at Lake Michigan!<br />
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We have also gone out to dinner, met some awesome service dogs, gone shopping, played outside and spent lots of time in the playroom at the Ronald McDonald House<br />
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<br />Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-90869922626287907512012-10-22T10:47:00.002-06:002012-10-22T10:47:46.364-06:00Deep Breath...VENT. Rambling. Before I write the update on how things are going (it will be posted in a few minutes) I need a moment to, take a deep breath, have a good scream/cry/vent, then remember how blessed I am. (this post may end up being me rambling on, so bare with me) <br />
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There are days I am just overwhelmed with emotions and I'm not sure what to do with them! There are days I wonder, and wonder, and wonder...<br />
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This morning was a bit rough...I've had a cold/allergy issues for the past week and half now and not feeling so hot. Even though I wasn't feeling well this morning I thought I would do some walking with Zak (he has been doing sooooo good with walking at school. Always does it with a smile on his face) and he fought me to the death! He screamed, cried, bit and refused to walk for more than 30 minutes, it ended up taking us 45 minutes to walk 30-40 steps with his walker. I had made the decision, I was NOT going to give up, I told him where we were walking to and we kept at it till we made it...kicking and screaming!!! I get so discouraged sometimes, Zak does sooooo well with other people but the second I ask him to do something he fights, and fights, and fights??? :-( <br />
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Being away from home for a month (we are on week four!!) has been an interesting experience for me. I have always been a "homebody", I love staying home and just hanging out. I don't think I've ever been away from home for more than two weeks and those were for "fun" vacations. So even though I will always do what Nathan and I think is best for Zachary, it sure does take me out of my comfort zone to be here so long! I think my whole life is lived "out my my comfort zone" now!<br />
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The first three weeks flew by because I had a friend here with me going through the same thing. Her son was in Zak's class at CLC. She was actually in a more challenging situation because her husband could not be here with her, she is AMAZING. Thanks for everything LEAH!!!<br />
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This week it's just us, and I am hoping to have more "down time" to write, read and study. Guess we will see if that ends up being true! <br />
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I know, I was kind of all over the place...just needed to vent for a minute.<br />
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This was what my morning looked like, only worse!!! This kid is amazingly strong, SO it makes him amazingly stubborn :-) </div>
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<span id="goog_873781186"></span><span id="goog_873781187"></span><br />Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-43149065941071140782012-10-03T08:39:00.000-06:002012-10-03T08:39:38.090-06:00OPPORTUNITY OCTOBER <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This month, this year, this life is full of opportunity for ZAK!!<br />
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I would like to start by thanking everyone who has helped (and is still helping) us to be here. This is an amazing opportunity for Zak and our family.<br />
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It is a time for Zak to learn and see that he CAN be independent. It is a time for him (AND US) to see that he is amazingly strong, friendly, stubborn, kind, dedicated, social and determined, when he puts his mind to it. <br />
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Today is day 3 of classes and he is doing well. There has been very little crying (only when I, mom, am there to watch/help). I will write a blog later this week about Zak's and my relationship and see if I can possibly get some suggestions on ways to improve it.<br />
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What is Conductive Education...<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Conductive education is an intensive,
multi-disciplinary approach to education, training and development for
individuals with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other motor
challenges. Conductive Education was developed in 1945 in Hungary by Dr.
Andras Peto. Peto theorized that disabled people are characterized by
disintegrated function. His theory was that this may be overcome, and
that co-ordinated functioning can be developed through an indirect
cognitive route involving teaching and learning. The rehabilitative plan
should be produced for the person, not for the function. The plan is
not symptoms or lesion centered but focused on the personality.
Conductive Education integrates medical knowledge with educational
methods to enable the individual to learn how to gain control over his
or her movements. Children are taught to see themselves as active and
self-reliant participants in the world. The goal of CE is the
socio-cultural integration of children with these motor disorders by
assisting the child to develop an ortho-functioning personality.
Orthofunction is the ability to solve the problems of daily living, such
as dressing, eating, practicing personal hygiene, and other activities
that are part of daily life and will allow the child to ultimately live
as independently as possible. The achievements learned through
conductive education increase confidence, self esteem and provide
problem-solving skills for daily activities. The result of conductive
education is that the quality of life is improved as well as the
psychological well being of the child and family. Conductive Education
contrasts markedly with traditional therapies in the following ways:</div>
<ul style="margin-left: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<li><strong> Conductors:</strong> Specially trained teachers licensed
after approximately five years of college level training. The conductor
carries out the principles of CE. This method links speech, thought and
movement together in a way that helps the child to focus on and
internalize the movement.</li>
<li><strong> Group Instruction:</strong> A key element of conductive
education is that individuals work as part of a small group of children
with the same condition. This offers an opportunity for individuals to
face challenges, share solutions and reward efforts to learn new skills
within the dynamics of a group.</li>
<li><strong> Environment:</strong> Provides for security of the child.
Equipment is unique to CE and includes slatted tables called plinths,
ladder chairs, and boxes that promote body alignment and support the
tasks designed to facilitate learning.</li>
<li><strong> Rhythmical intention:</strong> Many of the activities are
done with the use of simple folk songs that relate to the activity. By
pairing rhythm with movement, movements become more fluid and the lyrics
provide verbal cues to the child.</li>
<li><strong> Program and daily schedule:</strong> The child is viewed as
a learner and the conductor teacher promotes confidence, motivation and
an understanding of how this child can learn to perform everyday
movements to become more independent in their functioning within their
homes, schools and eventually in the workforce.</li>
<li><strong> Curriculum:</strong> Conductive education helps these
students build their cognitive skills and helps them learn to use
alternate strategies to accomplish common motor tasks such as sitting,
standing, walking, dressing, eating.</li>
<li><strong> Involvement of the family:</strong> Emphasis is put on
teaching family members to use these strategies at home to reinforce the
application of CE skills in all aspects of daily life.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Conductive Education is a
psycho-educational approach that focuses primarily on the child’s
personality and lifestyle, integrating physiological and medical
aspects. It is a combined special education and physical therapy, based
on Peto’s theory that motor control can be learned. The approach focuses
on improving the physical effects of a disability while encouraging
motivation to become independent and increasing self esteem. The desired
outcome is maximal independence called orthofunction, which refers to
the ability to enter school, the community, and ultimately the workforce
with minimal or no artificial aids. This total approach to learning and
training targets children under the age of six, when the potential for
impact is greatest, and they can be prepared for the traditional
classroom. “When you do not educate the child to be independent, you
educate the child to be dependent.” Maria Hari, former director of the
Peto Institute.</div>
(Above description was taken from the Conductive Learning Centers website http://conductivelearningcenter.org/)Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-12927465815704686672012-09-07T08:59:00.002-06:002012-09-07T09:00:07.552-06:00FUNDRAISING FOR ZAK Paracord Bracelets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlbXziltqw6yFBPqDhhD3hyphenhyphenv9AJFm-qfS4T8Upos4rXhiL5z2IBgdN743pzUCsKl2a63FW14lWsrg92to12qlIXtMAFxqLTKcQ3eOPPqr-vZuXs7NnNcMto2Sn2sYX5bQJeFyY-s5BUfB/s1600/Braclets+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlbXziltqw6yFBPqDhhD3hyphenhyphenv9AJFm-qfS4T8Upos4rXhiL5z2IBgdN743pzUCsKl2a63FW14lWsrg92to12qlIXtMAFxqLTKcQ3eOPPqr-vZuXs7NnNcMto2Sn2sYX5bQJeFyY-s5BUfB/s320/Braclets+.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h1 align="left" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: green; font-family: Cambria;"><b><u>WHO:</u></b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> For Zachary Charlan (Nathan & Renee’s son),
who has Cerebral Palsy</span></h1>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: green; font-family: Cambria;"><b><u>WHAT:</u></b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;">
Green & white paracord bracelets. Green is the awareness color for Cerebral
Palsy. All bracelets are $20 each plus $5 flat per order for shipping. </span></div>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: green; font-family: Cambria;"><b><u>WHEN:</u></b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> Now and ongoing.</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: green; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>WHERE:</u></b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"> There are a few different ways to purchase the bracelets
– </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;">1. <span style="color: green;"><b>To pay through PayPal</b></span><span style="color: green;"> <b>go to:</b></span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://zachfightsback.com/wordpress/?page_id=145">http://zachfightsback.com/wordpress/?page_id=145</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Follow
payment by sending an email to <a href="mailto:charlans@gmail.com">charlans@gmail.com</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;">with the number of bracelets,
wrist size & mailing address. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;">(This option allows for donations
above cost of bracelets) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2. <span style="color: green;"><b>To pay by check:</b></span><span style="color: green;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;">Checks payable to <b>Zachary
Charlan Benefit</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mail check with number of bracelets & wrist size
(circumference of your wrist in inches) to:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zachary Charlan Benefit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>PO Box
740115</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Arvada, CO
80006</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3. <span style="color: green;"><b>To purchase direct online:</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Visit <a href="http://www.exceptionalfamilytv.com/shopping">www.exceptionalfamilytv.com/shopping</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Make your
selections via the online shopping cart & choose </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;">to pay by PayPal or Check at
Checkout. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: green; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><u>WHY:</u></b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"> To raise money for several
out-of-pocket expenses that come with having a child we know is capable of so
much more than his body will allow him. Here is a short list of things we know
will benefit our son and our family in the next several months to a year:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 22.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="color: green; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Conductive Education</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"> (intensive therapy) for four-weeks in Grand Rapids, MI </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 58.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 58.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tuition
costs, living expenses, and travel</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 22.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="color: green; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>A wheelchair lift</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;"> for a vehicle so Zak can have the freedom to use his
power chair (which he is 98% independent with). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 58.0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 58.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 14.0pt;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt;">Right
now we cannot get his powerchair in to our vehicle.</span></div>
<span style="color: green; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Quadriciser.</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> An at-home piece of therapeutic/exercise equipment
we purchased by loan to help Zak’s body move in a natural way – connecting his
brain and muscles to learn proper patterning.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsv64yosk_A2zB9w0YQ8rTBLvXMQMv5Z1tccWHQMQA8juoY_w62SgFDxuYDIgfTZV4pgRQB2WfETJHs9Ft2TVyr6gkpFh0-2MZ74uDLguYi-RC2KGtHzNt8Wa0Khjw-p5tA32PE4OaMKt/s1600/-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsv64yosk_A2zB9w0YQ8rTBLvXMQMv5Z1tccWHQMQA8juoY_w62SgFDxuYDIgfTZV4pgRQB2WfETJHs9Ft2TVyr6gkpFh0-2MZ74uDLguYi-RC2KGtHzNt8Wa0Khjw-p5tA32PE4OaMKt/s320/-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span>
Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-88152170572252284112011-06-10T13:45:00.002-06:002011-06-10T13:49:09.454-06:00HE Is ALL Things ALL The Time!God is ALL things all of the time. To lower God to our definition of love is sad.<br />
<br />
How great is our God??<br />
<br />
Do you really believe that God is only the love we can define? If you want to talk about God you need to talk about ALL of God. God can never be "just" love or "just" wrath, He is always ALL of His attributes (Immutable, Impartial, Infinite, Jealous, Justice, Love, Mercy, Righteous, Self-existent, Self-sufficient, Sovereign, Transcendent, Truth, Wise, Wrath, Eternal, Faithfulness, Foreknows, Good, Holy, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient) ALL of the time.<br />
<br />
It doesn't seem "right" or "fair" to us that God can be Love and wrath at the same time. If it makes you feel better to think that God is not a God of Justice then you DO NOT want to know ALL of God.<br />
<br />
2 Timothy 4:3-"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are making God less than He is, so that He fits into your idea of what God should be, then you are the one who is making God into something He is not.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-10257504395340069912011-06-04T13:21:00.001-06:002011-06-04T13:25:22.749-06:00Before and Afters. Because I Said I Would. YIKES!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJRZsDS7aNfhKhE9nB7s3yEK6fbADaPhNHlCr08cd7gdnqkfJsxg3uWX5yaF9x-HqIbCbt_LLk8eXTdlHEQRLolL_zACpMQx4cCyXwT0iEkJ8ON3IlabQb8eDUUsqe5o-Ggh4Ln6WaQdG/s1600/Jean+pic+1+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJRZsDS7aNfhKhE9nB7s3yEK6fbADaPhNHlCr08cd7gdnqkfJsxg3uWX5yaF9x-HqIbCbt_LLk8eXTdlHEQRLolL_zACpMQx4cCyXwT0iEkJ8ON3IlabQb8eDUUsqe5o-Ggh4Ln6WaQdG/s320/Jean+pic+1+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It all started with a pair of Jeans and wanting to feel better and be healthy again. It amazes me how often we give up on something we really want. Something that is good for us just so we can feel good in the moment. Believe me I know, I have done this my whole life. I'm not sure why now is different, but I am so happy it is :-)<br />
<br />
I will never say this is easy, but I will say now, it was totally worth it! <br />
<br />
It's kinda funny how things have changed for me. My whole life I have been horribly insecure about my weight with a very distorted view of my my body. I still remember a time in high school where my friend asked me to pick out another girl who I thought was the same size as me and the girl I picked had to be three or four sizes bigger than I really was. I have always thought I was bigger than I really was, then I got married :-) Getting married changed me, no not just in I like to eat more and I was happy (and fat) but I really no longer saw myself that way. I actually went the opposite direction. I would look at myself and think "I don't look that bad". Even though I saw the size I was wearing compared to what I used to wear, I still felt like the smaller size, just didn't look like it.<br />
<br />
My husband is amazing and he has loved me, no matter what! He has always tried his best to make me feel beautiful and loved. The problem is we get very distorted views of ourselves based on what others think or say about us and this is so sad. So many of my feelings about myself have changed during this time and I don't think it has anything to do with the weight, it has everything to do with the health. I feel so much better "overall" now and that's what really matters. I feel healthy and strong and that is so much more important than looking thinner.<br />
<br />
I pray that I can always keep things in perspective. That I would always use my son as an amazing example. He has a strength and determination I long for. If I ever feel like "I just can do it" I need to just take a look at all he does just to move around and STOP MY COMPLAINING!<br />
<br />
He has been my inspiration through it all, he shows me we can all do amazing things if we just stay as determined as the day we started something. That giving up is always a choice but not an option.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GwbHg6m3wKjQ3w1bQ5zAZzp_RUsJSB93N33Hx45GCnieSk1HeUtKwSGqFCy763n0jlWNAMhwD5ra6B7KmkkM9jyfugcr2CjB-Q7Z0LtXNpsjlapqkUBwGMm-4X5WnYJLXKsapLhBz-jj/s1600/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GwbHg6m3wKjQ3w1bQ5zAZzp_RUsJSB93N33Hx45GCnieSk1HeUtKwSGqFCy763n0jlWNAMhwD5ra6B7KmkkM9jyfugcr2CjB-Q7Z0LtXNpsjlapqkUBwGMm-4X5WnYJLXKsapLhBz-jj/s320/Picture+3.png" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJyJ_H4Upb1_fQJlXqIaW1dyO8EqT0Zi3PRkC-JZj7bqeruK-ryKnxQOMI-DHZFHYCBBvcnQ9zpTcwP5vDxZoIaUJbcODLOrB-mldPj1SC9ZaDBgiNv55SVYRXCpZbSpYtM69GZOlywAa/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJyJ_H4Upb1_fQJlXqIaW1dyO8EqT0Zi3PRkC-JZj7bqeruK-ryKnxQOMI-DHZFHYCBBvcnQ9zpTcwP5vDxZoIaUJbcODLOrB-mldPj1SC9ZaDBgiNv55SVYRXCpZbSpYtM69GZOlywAa/s320/Picture+4.png" width="96" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8LWYMnlDv9hbe6rwX9h8Y9e4-9yZrPE37vQcDvoMAZEIv8lhgD-hJn4ADGk22tPz3IKmVteoZ9B1PE8Apzklflf0FwQWPiiYGYQDGNmHTE8DDR7nhSbaaVTcX59CQ7Aq0d3ZHOkwpEQq/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8LWYMnlDv9hbe6rwX9h8Y9e4-9yZrPE37vQcDvoMAZEIv8lhgD-hJn4ADGk22tPz3IKmVteoZ9B1PE8Apzklflf0FwQWPiiYGYQDGNmHTE8DDR7nhSbaaVTcX59CQ7Aq0d3ZHOkwpEQq/s320/Picture+5.png" width="84" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE2RWWi_lt2s1H4CQlsPlQh8dkiVv72G0Dk5e6NJglNgzlCNi67F0xGJgcDJK4zmqLaS2761v98JItWlV4k5dQm5ZT5X-XzeUhKf0FCqg9YXn7Hagoq3Y8qZLYKfFAIYx7apjr7OAC8uP/s1600/Picture+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE2RWWi_lt2s1H4CQlsPlQh8dkiVv72G0Dk5e6NJglNgzlCNi67F0xGJgcDJK4zmqLaS2761v98JItWlV4k5dQm5ZT5X-XzeUhKf0FCqg9YXn7Hagoq3Y8qZLYKfFAIYx7apjr7OAC8uP/s320/Picture+6.png" width="96" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-32863182255786670742011-03-07T21:48:00.000-07:002011-03-07T21:48:53.967-07:00March Music. Day 3. Nichole Nordeman - Legacy"I want to leave a legacy. How will they remember me? Did I choose to love?"<br />
<br />
What is the legacy that you are leaving?<br />
<br />
I have found that if I just stop trying so hard things come naturally. You start to live more and love more when you allow yourself to be ok with what you are doing. We need to stop being so hard on ourselves for not doing enough and know that being the best parent, friend or spouse we can be is an amazing place to start. Your legacy will be remembered by more people than you realize.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vbi4nSrhRxo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-85521089015369886992011-03-07T21:47:00.000-07:002011-03-07T21:47:00.362-07:00March Music. Song 2. That's What Faith Can Do.This became one of my favorite songs this past year. It helps me through hard times and my favorite line is "I've seen miracles just happen"<br />
<br />
“Impossible situations can become possible miracles.” ~Robert H. Schuller<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/u1JBSQMkQEo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-18284383456184323662011-03-04T13:15:00.000-07:002011-03-04T13:15:21.313-07:00March Music. Song 1. My favorite of all time!!!Our family has had a CRAZY month, so I have had a hard time finding the time to sit down and write. I have decided I am going try my best to post a song each day this month. I am going to start with a fun video that just happens to be put to my favorite song of all time. This is just a fun one, most of them will probably be a bit more serious because I am a lyrics girl. Most of the songs I post will be posted not for the music but for what the artist is saying in the song.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JBk-HpOtk3A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Here is a link to a second version. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYL3j27sSH8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYL3j27sSH8</a>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-19182148787657116872011-02-08T14:44:00.000-07:002011-02-08T14:44:51.136-07:00Days 25-27. What My Child Has Taught Me About Myself<div class="content clear-block"> <strong>What my child has taught me about myself</strong>.<br />
<br />
Life is not all about me.<br />
<br />
I’m stronger and smarter than I thought.<br />
<br />
Being negative gets you nowhere.<br />
<br />
I should never give up.<br />
<br />
The way I look matters a lot less than who I am.<br />
<br />
Being different is not a bad thing. Being just like everyone else is boring.<br />
<br />
Becoming a parent is never what you expect it to be.<br />
<br />
Being a parent is not just one job.<br />
<br />
Responsibility can be overwhelming.<br />
<br />
You can't take care of another person well, until you take care of yourself.<br />
<br />
I need to draw near to what gives me strength.<br />
<br />
<br />
What are some of the things your child has taught you about yourself?<br />
</div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-33319744393210535602011-02-08T14:42:00.000-07:002011-02-08T14:42:48.100-07:00Day 21-24. What My Child Has Taught Me About OthersWhat my child has taught me about others.<br />
<br />
Others need the chance to get to know my child.<br />
They need a chance to adjust to something they don’t know.<br />
They want to be kind, I just need to give them that chance.<br />
They want to be there for me, I just need to tell them how.<br />
Most of the time they are just scared and don’t know what to do.<br />
They want to love my child they just don’t know how.<br />
Others are hurting just as much (or more) than I am.<br />
There are more kind people than negative people.<br />
<br />
I am still amazed every day at the kindness and generosity of others.<br />
As parents raising kiddos with special needs it seems like we can get sucked in to negativity so easily. We can get overwhelmed with our to do lists and appointments, as well as all the emotions that seem to bombard us every day. It just seems easier sometimes to be depressed and stay there, to not work to bring ourselves out of the pit.<br />
What I have found lately is you really need to give others a chance. If you give people the opportunity they really will fall in love with your child. You would be amazed at what your child can teach others, if you let them, by just being themselves. "People don't want to be rude. They want to be kind. Give them the opportunity to be kind." ~Joy Blackburn<br />
I have found, for myself it has been much easier on me to think the best of others. To give them the benefit of the doubt. To know, most people don’t mean to be inconsiderate, they don't mean to offend you by their words or behavior, they just don’t know what to do.<br />
As the parent of a child with special needs I have also become a teacher and I need to embrace the opportunity to help others learn.<br />
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Thank you Janet for sharing your amazing talent with our family, and showing us the beauty that others can see if you only let them.<br />
If you are interested in having a painting like this done of your child you can email Janet at www.harrold.janet@gmail.com 100% of the proceeds go to her granddaughter Hailey's Conductive Education.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-23872154374138923652011-02-02T13:20:00.000-07:002011-02-02T13:20:19.089-07:00Day 19- BlessedI wrote a post the other day about not listening to myself or others tell me that my son can’t do something so why do I still think it’s ok to say the same thing to myself. Why do I still have moments where I say, “I can’t do this”? <br />
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It doesn’t matter how bad things are, we all have positives in our lives. It’s hard to remember when we are overwhelmed with life but they really are there. Take some time to write them down and remind yourself of how blessed you are.<br />
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“Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some” ~ Charles Dickens<br />
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Here are some of mine (some are serious and some are silly)<br />
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</div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-6819068063234026022011-01-30T18:24:00.000-07:002011-01-30T18:24:21.852-07:00Day 18-Don't Tell Me He Can'tThings like "he wont" and "he can't" are things that we hear way too often as parents of children with special needs. These are also things we convince ourselves of when our children aren't doing things as fast as we think they should. <br />
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Just remember to be patient and know that letting go of what you think they should do and when will allow your child to be themselves. Hard work is still important but…<br />
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“Failure is not the worst thing in the world. The very worst is not to try.” ~ Anonymous<br />
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“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson<br />
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I have done this over and over and every time I do Zak proves me wrong! What are some of the ways your kiddos prove you wrong?<br />
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Don't tell me he won't roll over...<br />
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Don't tell me he won't sit...<br />
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Don't tell me he won't talk...<br />
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Don't tell me he's not smart...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/_A4UroqlsxA/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_A4UroqlsxA&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_A4UroqlsxA&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
Don't tell me he can't be potty trained...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTgvgJ7oeisuPZXpknol5oRoj4qiLbT3F2e2xPVZistPr-X7CCgPBNSzOgbtyBsON71cvCCDaFG5rBCVzVe1aWVveV9Fly3318BHInVKkrjiP7oeKMUuaPc6sIw-KYIVIIPK-z12QVFry/s1600/P1100263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTgvgJ7oeisuPZXpknol5oRoj4qiLbT3F2e2xPVZistPr-X7CCgPBNSzOgbtyBsON71cvCCDaFG5rBCVzVe1aWVveV9Fly3318BHInVKkrjiP7oeKMUuaPc6sIw-KYIVIIPK-z12QVFry/s320/P1100263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-70953433086579433992011-01-30T08:10:00.000-07:002011-01-30T08:10:37.521-07:00Day 17-Is it Ever Enough?On day 17 of my diet and I have lost a lot of weight and feel amazingly healthy! At least that’s a good thing; but, Nathan and I had a rough night last night. Lots of emotion came out and here it is…<br />
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“I never know what to play with Zak, because he can’t tell me what he wants to do. I don’t know if I spend enough one-on-one time with him. I don’t know if I ‘work’ with him enough. I think Zak thinks I’m boring; Dads always get to be the ‘fun’ ones. I just want to protect him, but I don’t want to keep him from anything because I’m being too protective. I’m so scared about the pain he is going to be in after his hip surgery. Zak is so picky I feel like I don’t feed him enough “nutritious” food. I’m afraid to push him too hard because I might cause him pain. Do I ‘teach’ him enough? Do I help him to really explore the world? …”<br />
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WHY, WHY, WHY do we do this to ourselves?<br />
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So, I think the thing on my mind today is: as parents do we ever feel like we are doing enough? Do you ever sit back at the end of the day and think, “Wow, I did everything I wanted to do today!”? Is there some magical balance as a parent I just haven’t figured out yet?<br />
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All I know, as people in general, we are WAY too hard on ourselves a majority of the time. We really need to stop this and know we do the best we can, in the moment we are in. We are going to have good days and bad days. We are going to have days where we know we could have done more, but those are the moments we need to learn from and move forward. We need to learn to take a step back at the end of the day and really reflect on what we <em>have</em> done. Most of the time, it will end up being a lot more than you thought.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/fbPYhvbhTnU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-12968321978205781742011-01-27T17:47:00.000-07:002011-01-27T17:47:28.741-07:00Day 14&15 - No Writing Just Videos of Zak!!I'm being lazy for a couple of days on my writing so here are a few cute videos of Zak :) Laughter is good for all of us so our family tries to do it as much as possible. The 3rd video is kind of long but if you watch the whole thing Zak will show you how he says "Luv Momma"!!<br />
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"You laugh at me because I am different, but I laugh at you because you are all the same" ~Unknown<br />
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"If every word I said could make you laugh, I'd talk forever" ~Tv Show-Full House<br />
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"An optimist laughs to forget, a pessimist forgets to laugh" ~Unknown<br />
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"Laughter is the shock absorber that eases the blows of life" ~Unknown<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HX0je3iRVvo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KoGALIiIZBY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't get the 3rd video to load so if you would like to see it just follow the link below. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/ncharlan#p/a/u/1/VaRT2b64Zp4">http://www.youtube.com/ncharlan#p/a/u/1/VaRT2b64Zp4</a></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-85934953968043734752011-01-25T08:17:00.000-07:002011-01-25T08:17:40.088-07:00Day 10,11,12&13-Content with Who They Are?If, as parents of children with special needs, we sit around and complain about the things that make our lives different from those around us, how will we ever teach our children to be content with the way they are?<br />
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This thought has come to my mind a lot lately after realizing I think a lot about how heavy Zak is, how I wish he could walk, how I wish he could at least get himself into sitting, wish he could talk, wish he was potty trained… Really, why do I do this? There is no use for it - NONE.<br />
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When I hear others complain about their child it makes me so sad, and yet I do it myself. Our lives may be different, but that’s all it is - different. Everyone has challenges. If Zak could walk then I would have to chase him around everywhere and I would probably complain about that. Zak also fights me to the death to do any of his homework (I know homework in pre-school is silly, but it’s so they can learn responsibility), kind of a scary thing to think about as he gets older. If he’s fighting me now, what is going to happen in the future?!?!<br />
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If I want the world to see and respect the good things about my son, then I need to try my best to only see those things. If I want my son to grow up with confidence in who he is no matter what, then I need to show him that I, too, believe in him no matter what. I want to teach him that he is loved unconditionally not only by his parents, but by God, the One who knit him together in my womb, the One who makes no mistakes.<br />
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Tomorrow I will write about how are we to do this when we, ourselves, have so many insecurities?<br />
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Enjoy the video of Zak doing his homework, for all you homeschooling moms, God Bless You!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NG-F8jzLPhw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-4332404588382340592011-01-22T23:15:00.000-07:002011-01-22T23:15:50.957-07:00Day 9-Zak’s Date Night.Day 9<br />
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Today has been crazy busy so this will be a short one. Diet is still going really well and we feel great!! I am so excited to actually make this a lifestyle and have a healthy family once again.<br />
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Nathan and I got to go on a date the other night and while we were out we got to talking and came up with the idea of date nights for Zak. Our new plan is that Zak gets a mommy date and a daddy date both once a month. It will be a day/evening where we will spend time individually with him doing things that he or we enjoy. It will be a time for him to have fun but also to get to know his parents as individuals. A time for him to learn about what makes his mom the way she is and his dad the way he is. To learn that we all have interests and should care about what makes others "tick" and what makes them smile. A time for him to learn about “guy” time and how to treat a lady.<br />
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We are so excited to start this and can’t wait to learn more about our son and allow his personality to flourish. Another added bonus to this will be that during the time one of us is out with Zak the other will get a few hours of alone time to do whatever they want!!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPF-5uBwjJk-KsbObh6b3gCyc-b2pv1KnqdCXiOvWmCIzhetHm1kpy86zW7t__MVC_1xvcEQFP6izT07-V0C1i2jy-9injj_MVNWpOIXWzShLSKqTmZkdN8sqHtFBf5uAiM_Zhy8BTNZf/s1600/P1090356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPF-5uBwjJk-KsbObh6b3gCyc-b2pv1KnqdCXiOvWmCIzhetHm1kpy86zW7t__MVC_1xvcEQFP6izT07-V0C1i2jy-9injj_MVNWpOIXWzShLSKqTmZkdN8sqHtFBf5uAiM_Zhy8BTNZf/s200/P1090356.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-74366518624386250012011-01-21T12:23:00.000-07:002011-01-21T12:23:13.657-07:00Day 8-What is in a Voice?Language is a remarkably complex system, one we continue to learn throughout our lives. It is also essential to many aspects of learning and socialization. Researchers have identified three broad and different aspects of language:<br />
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• Receptive language: How we understand the language of others.<br />
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• Expressive language: How we communicate to others through increasingly sophisticated speech and expanded vocabulary.<br />
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• Pragmatic language: All the subtle facets of language — facial expressions, body movements, tone, volume, inflection, ideas about when to speak and for how long. These additions are the amplifiers and fine-tuners of communication. They help all of us to better express what we mean, and to understand what others are telling us.<br />
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What is in a Voice?<br />
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Without a voice to show people your intelligence it seems the first assumption will always be that you are “stupid”; you must have nothing to say; there is nothing going on in “there”. Why do you think this is? I believe it is because speech is something that comes so easy and natural to most people. We don’t have to think about speech; it just becomes second nature.<br />
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Something as simple as an accent can cause people to make assumptions about you: to think you are smart, to think you are stupid, to think you are snotty or even think you are ignorant. Our voices have the ability to calm and also to create anxiety and stress. So when a person cannot talk, or struggles to talk, we have a hard time wrapping our minds around the intelligence of that person. When there is damage to one part of the brain, it does not mean that all the other parts don’t work just fine. The person you are assuming is not intelligent wants to tell you that you are the “stupid” one for not seeing past a voice.<br />
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If you just take a moment to get to know a person, your mind may be changed. When you meet someone without a “voice”, sit with them and pretend you are sitting with someone that speaks another language. Spend time with them and figure out “their” language. They want to communicate with you; you just have to be open to a different, a new, way to communicate. We all must adapt. If you break your leg you will have to use crutches; if you get injured you may need to be in a wheelchair; if you were wealthy and become poor you will have to adapt to a new lifestyle.<br />
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I wish all people could understand that without a voice a person can still make you laugh, make you cry, give you the time of your life, be a brilliant musician, or maybe, just maybe end up being the one who cures cancer, AIDS or even learns how to “fix” damage in the brain.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh5BAMeAGvKvselsmXQqLKwATvRi2zhVXcS2hgAbWqsONrtBsuY0LlYKfRK77AE9hDi0yQIQ7tpplo7JJBd9cd2ZZIQsGxUQ3oC_GVov7aySom-DQqcWBP_vwN1K6j4Iy13KKs60U9TeW/s1600/small+iPad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh5BAMeAGvKvselsmXQqLKwATvRi2zhVXcS2hgAbWqsONrtBsuY0LlYKfRK77AE9hDi0yQIQ7tpplo7JJBd9cd2ZZIQsGxUQ3oC_GVov7aySom-DQqcWBP_vwN1K6j4Iy13KKs60U9TeW/s320/small+iPad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-81006198636130621592011-01-19T14:52:00.001-07:002011-01-19T14:53:14.116-07:00Day 7-Inspiration sitting right in front of me!Day 7<br />
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Today is day 7 of my diet and I’ve been feeling a bit disappointed with my losses the past couple days. With the diet I am doing you lose a half a pound to a pound a day. I know it seems kind of crazy, but totally worth it in the end! I’ll get over it, because I know I will start losing again, but doing this has really made me think.<br />
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Going through a time like this, where I feel I am working so hard to do something and having days where all my work seems to not matter, makes me think of my son and all the work he does. It makes me think how his entire life he will have to work harder and longer than most other people. And even with all that work, he may not end up reaching his goals - that no matter what he does he can not get his body to do what his brain is telling it to do; and I sit here and complain in my own head about not losing weight as fast as I had hoped. <br />
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How many times do we say that our kiddos have changed our lives, and how they made us realize we have nothing to complain about? But in the next moment we are complaining about something that is hard for us, something they may never even be able to try? How does this keep happening? Why do we always come back to ourselves and what we want, what we need, what we think we deserve? Oh yeah, it’s because we are ALL selfish beings no matter how “selfless” we are in some areas of our life - to our core we are selfish. Whether you believe it’s because we all have an instinct to survive and protect ourselves, or if you believe it is because we live in a fallen world, the fact is we always come back to a ME mentality. <br />
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I am amazed at all the things my little guy can do. More than many of the doctors thought he would do by his age. Just looking at all his hard work just to do simple everyday tasks inspires me to do more and be more. I have to try my best to stop thinking about how things are hard for me and realize I have an inspiration sitting right in front of me!<br />
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It’s pretty cool how just allowing myself to be open for change can send thoughts and inspiration flooding in. How something as simple as a diet to get healthy again has allowed me time to really focus and see what is really important.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofNyUnr_pL4irXLyy0EarAnqUpwX7vyMD8-cx-1GvP9NHfqY-olapa5G1Q0qXnEYhZp2ZlYpF72llbSWDk6MEKNgVQah9urJ35bPK2oTNhkL9qgb715gbs-zde_wk8ViF2udUrpqwt8PI/s1600/P1090257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofNyUnr_pL4irXLyy0EarAnqUpwX7vyMD8-cx-1GvP9NHfqY-olapa5G1Q0qXnEYhZp2ZlYpF72llbSWDk6MEKNgVQah9urJ35bPK2oTNhkL9qgb715gbs-zde_wk8ViF2udUrpqwt8PI/s320/P1090257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-75786397564639314592011-01-17T20:36:00.004-07:002011-01-17T20:41:41.296-07:00Day 6-COOKING! Recipes Please.<b>Day 6</b><br />
Cooking, Cooking, Cooking! It seems like it’s all I’ve been doing the past few days but I’ve been loving it because I know what I’m doing is good for my family and myself. This will be a simple blog day. I have been asked for some of my recipes so here they are. I would love to hear any of your healthy ideas!<br />
<h2><b></b></h2><h2><b></b></h2><h2><b> </b><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></h2><h2 style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cabbage Curry Soup</b></span></h2><br />
2-4 cups of cabbage (I use red cabbage and cut it into strips)<br />
8-12 cups of water (depends on how soupy you want it to be)<br />
4-6 teaspoons of Better Than Bouillon (or 4-6 Bouillon cubes)<br />
3-6 cloves of garlic (crushed)<br />
Curry, season salt, pepper, red pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, basil and tarragon all to taste.<br />
<br />
Add Bouillon to water and let begin to boil, add the garlic and spices and let boil while<br />
you cut the cabbage into strips. Add cabbage and let boil for 40-90 minutes. Add all<br />
spices to taste and let boil until the cabbage is the texture you want.<br />
You can also add canned tomatoes to this recipe for a Tomato Cabbage Curry Soup<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: white;"><b>Tomato Soup</b></div>2-4 cans of Fire Roasted tomatoes<br />
2-4 cups of water<br />
1/2 can of tomato paste<br />
4-5 gloves of garlic<br />
Season salt, pepper, red pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, basil and tarragon<br />
(curry, if you want this added flavor) add all to taste.<br />
<br />
Add all ingredients into a large pot and let boil for about 20 minutes then let simmer for<br />
60-90 minutes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: white;"><b>Chili</b></div>Ground meat (whatever you prefer)<br />
1-2 Red peppers or onion whichever you prefer (on our diet we can only have one veggie<br />
at once so I pick just one you can use both if you want)<br />
1/2 or full can of tomato paste<br />
water (just used to add if the meat needs more moisture)<br />
spices- season salt, pepper, red pepper, garlic salt, onion powder, paprika and cumin.<br />
<br />
Brown meat then add peppers or onion and spices. Cook for 5 minutes or so then add<br />
tomato paste and a little bit of water. Mix and serve. No cheese on our diet but it’s really<br />
good with cheese on top.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: white;"><b>Curry Chicken</b></div>Chicken<br />
Water<br />
Garlic<br />
Spices- Curry, season salt, pepper, red pepper, garlic salt, onion powder and paprika.<br />
<br />
I like to marinate for about an hour 1<sup>st</sup> in the same seasoning mixture but you can just add<br />
to cooked meat if you don’t have the time. I put water, garlic and spices in a bowl and let<br />
chicken marinate. Then add meat and half the marinade to a pan and let cook. Serve.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: white;"><b>Diet Lemonade</b></div>3 lemons<br />
6-8 cups of water<br />
2-3 tbsp. of Stevia<br />
<br />
Mix all together!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: black; color: white;"><b>Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles</b></div>Pour lemonade into molds and add mashed up strawberries and let freeze.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: white;"><br />
</div><div style="color: white;"><b>Strawberry Smoothie</b></div>10 frozen strawberries<br />
2 droppers full of liquid Stevia<br />
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla<br />
1 teaspoon of heavy cream or a spray of whipped cream<br />
1/4 cup of water<br />
<br />
Defrost berries 1/2 way then add to magic bullet or blender. Add Stevia, vanilla and<br />
cream and blend. Pour into a bowl and place in freezer for 20 minutes or so.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-51520530600431240232011-01-17T18:42:00.001-07:002011-01-17T18:42:55.872-07:00Day 5-Being Content With Your Body, Is It Possible?Is being content with our bodies, no matter where we are at, possible?<br />
<br />
This is a funny thought to me because the times in my life when I have been thin have also been the times that I have been the least content with the way I looked. Why do you think this is? I think it has to do with how we feel about ourselves overall. Are we happy in our relationships? Are we proud of ourselves and what we are doing? Do we feel we are being productive? I think all these things factor in when we are looking at ourselves in the mirror.<br />
<br />
I was always told that “being skinny is not what will make you happy” but this was something I had a hard time with. I always felt like if I could just feel good about the way I looked I would feel better about the rest of my life/myself.<br />
<br />
The past few years have really changed the way I look at things and I have found that this statement is so very true. It doesn’t matter what you look like or what you can or can’t do, those are not the things that will bring happiness or make others like you more.<br />
<br />
I think I will always want to feel like I look good and want to be happy and content in my skin but I now know that this is not the thing that matters most. If I want to be happy I need to be happy with myself and who I am as a whole, to know that I need to be an example for my child and be a strong and confident person that doesn’t let my little insecurities or other people ever determine weather I am going to be happy or not.<br />
<br />
That no matter what my body looks like or what my body can or can’t do I am loved and I should stand strong as the woman, wife and mother that God wants me to be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3rxRtDhM7V9ZE-6UxSf2bcEYcu6P2DHVwpumWkz_o8_vN5yeTuZjInxeqKTuqU5vPMSHrX68oArE-ITbN78OSCdAeJ3EHPFsd5NNAKxkdvmrDtHsrvvoqoKwxkcnXU4YaDYVQUSQkJHS/s1600/smallernay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3rxRtDhM7V9ZE-6UxSf2bcEYcu6P2DHVwpumWkz_o8_vN5yeTuZjInxeqKTuqU5vPMSHrX68oArE-ITbN78OSCdAeJ3EHPFsd5NNAKxkdvmrDtHsrvvoqoKwxkcnXU4YaDYVQUSQkJHS/s320/smallernay.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-10720786536121430872011-01-16T20:56:00.003-07:002011-01-16T21:01:44.627-07:00Being ContentDay 4 <br />
<br />
How do you feel when you see other families getting the things you feel your family/child needs?<br />
<br />
We just got done watching Extreme Home Makeover and it could be so easy to slip into a negative thought process and think about how our family could really use everything the family we just watched got. It could be so easy to feel bitter in situations like these, but I have found that being content with who you are and what you have is the fastest way to happiness. Know that nothing about your life is a mistake and try to figure out what it is you are supposed to be doing in the moment you are in.<br />
<br />
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” ~Lao Tzu<br />
<br />
I have found being happy for and doing things for others is what really brings joy and happiness to your life. <br />
<br />
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” ~Albert Einstein<br />
<br />
More time thinking about others = less time to think about yourself. I do not believe that thinking about yourself is a bad thing; I just think when you are thinking about others it helps you to not focus on the negatives in your life.<br />
<br />
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” ~C.S. Lewis<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I will talk about being content with our bodies. Is this possible?Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-67038688829657557522011-01-14T21:36:00.000-07:002011-01-14T21:36:36.655-07:00Motivation!Day 3<br />
<br />
Motivation!<br />
<br />
“Motivation is the driving force which causes us to achieve goals. According to various theories, motivation may be rooted in a basic need to minimize physical pain and maximize pleasure.” (Wikipedia definition)<br />
<br />
We all need motivation to do certain things, but should we need extra motivation to be and stay healthy? I’m not sure why, but it seems like we do.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3ncBKLPN2AWDFcdKbQ7_x-tZxhPCYpKZomsAbvmTJLnTM6wIzh5XT23WvA3EvbpDIbr4PPxr4KjPV0LRcgP4TAAtXI9nDQ3qHxCPYqq6bBraDbB-buDvbQF3IWypMK1OoZPOI6TpBrJF/s1600/Jean+pic+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3ncBKLPN2AWDFcdKbQ7_x-tZxhPCYpKZomsAbvmTJLnTM6wIzh5XT23WvA3EvbpDIbr4PPxr4KjPV0LRcgP4TAAtXI9nDQ3qHxCPYqq6bBraDbB-buDvbQF3IWypMK1OoZPOI6TpBrJF/s320/Jean+pic+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
My motivation started out being these silly pair of jeans and they still are…just a little. It really is amazing that in just three days my motivation has shifted from something so superficial to something so much more. In just three days my body and mind have shown me that they needed this and that I had not been taking care of myself.<br />
<br />
How often do we forget about ourselves? How often do things like this seem like so much work. They seem to be daunting to even begin to think about - thinking we don't have the time or the energy to even start. But if we don't take care of ourselves, I believe we are being just as selfish as if we spent hours in the gym every day. I believe we need to think about ourselves so we can think about others. As a wife, mother and friend you need to take care of yourself so that you have the strength, energy and motivation to take care of others.<br />
<br />
It’s amazing how fast our body, mind and spirit will respond and thank us!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-20303720083634058072011-01-13T20:36:00.000-07:002011-01-13T20:36:26.273-07:00Can a Diet Create Change?? Guess we will see!I know I have been really bad about blogging and updates. I have decided I will do something totally different for awhile.<br />
<br />
I am going to journal through the next 6 weeks of dieting, exercise and life.<br />
<br />
Today is day 2 of a 30 day diet I am doing and tomorrow I will start a new workout! I thought I would be feeling like crap with my body detoxing from all the sugar I have been eating but I really feel good so far.<br />
<br />
I thought about posting my before photos but I think I need to wait till I’ve lost a bit before I will show you why I wanted to lose a bit. <br />
<br />
I am really excited about doing this diet (again) and getting healthy. Last time I did it I lost a lot of weight and felt wonderful! It’s not just a quick fix diet, I kept my weight off for almost a year. The weight came back when I got pregnant, had a miscarriage, had surgery and all around the holidays.<br />
<br />
Stress, Stress, Stress! This is all something I’m sure I will journal about at some point.<br />
<br />
I am hoping that during this process I can get all the “junk” out of my body and get some energy, confidence and focus back. <br />
<br />
See you back here tomorrow!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6571271242384653127.post-62318229214982452522010-11-17T16:02:00.001-07:002010-11-17T16:06:26.623-07:00Our Story on 9NEWS9NEWS in Colorado where we live did a story on our family and <a href="http://www.exceptionalfamilytv.com/">Exceptional Family TV,</a> it aired last night :)<br />
<br />
Here is a <a href="http://www.exceptionalfamilytv.com/news/exceptional-family-tv-9news-denver-co">link to watch the video if you are interested</a>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13233418690603990974noreply@blogger.com0