Sometimes, falling on your ass can be the best part of your day.

Its two days after Chrsitmas, about 3pm. There is 3+ feet of snow out there and drifts over 5ft. And its freakin beautiful. Sure, it destroyed yet ANOTHER back deck gazebo, sure the digging was epic(for Joe, I stayed inside and cleaned the house), heck I will even agree that its a little inconvenient. But you cant deny that its beautiful. Its gorgeous. its… pure, white, frozen miracles, each one completely different from the next. And as I stood outside in my polka dotted jammie pants, my Rutgers hoodie, my electric lime green Uggs and my totally weird, hard to explain, ski hat, taking pictures of Jordie and Kasey Mae, I learned a little something i never realized before…

It all started in December 1999. We had just had a house fire an lost absolutely everything to smoke damage. The fire, although contained to our kitchen, caused such an abundance of smoke, that it crept into every nook and cranny of our house. Everything had to be tossed out. We were able to save very little. It was also while Kylie was home. With 24hour nursing, a treach, non stop medical appointments and still not yet properly diagnosed. It was a rough year to say the least.After the fire we moved into a Residence Inn about 10 miles from our house. TJ, Cody and Tyler Lee were little bits. 3 1/2, 2 1/2 and 1 1/2. And it snowed. Boy, did it snow. We went to Sports Authority and got them all their very first ski suits. And while we were there we saw these odd contraptions called “Butt slides”. They were little scooped plastic thingies with straps and clips. We weren't quite sure just how they worked, but we got them anyway. And what a great idea that was. You simply step into these things somewhat like a rock climbing harness, clip the strap and off you go. Walk up the hill, throw down onto your butt, and off you go sliding down the hill as if you had your own built in sled. Which, you actually do, Nothing to carry, complete and free movement. It is one of the most amazing inventions I have ever seen.

Now keep in mind this was in 1999, This is now 2010 and we STILL have 2 of the 3 we bought. I really need to find some more.

   So, there i go, out in the snow, to take pictures of MiMi and Meatieballie butt sliding down the driveway. As they are falling on their butts and sliding down the hill my first instinct is to say, BE CAREFUL! DONT FALL ! But then i realized that was the whole point of this. to run, fall on your ass, and ride that wave of ice, snow and diabolical laughter as far as it can take you. They were having a BLAST. They were laughing and smiling. Cheeks rosey from the cold air, hair all mussed and icy, hats and jackets all snow-y, It all made since just that very moment. You can actually fall right on your butt and ENJOY IT! Sometimes in our life, things happen and we literally and proverbially fall on our ass. We sit there , in out doom and gloom and get all mopey about our current position in life.Whining about being at the bottom.  But there were these two, falling down and enjoying the brief and tumultuous ride that followed. Its all about perspective. The had to trust that in falling down they were not going to be hurt, they had to believe that the ride was going to be fun. They had to know that a little bit of fear is a good thing. And they, in their 8 and 9 year old wisdom camouflaged as innocence, reminded me that sometimes the fall and the ride after, are actually a blessing and can be an enjoyment if you let it. So, as 2011 approaches I am prepared. We ALL KNOW that somewhere in this next year, I WILL fall and I will land right on my ass. But when I do, I will try and remember the girls, in the bright, sparkling sun, falling on their butts in peals

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of laughter and giggling and grinning all the way down the hill to the bottom. Enjoying their fall all the way to the bottom, where they stand up, brush off, and trudge back up the hill with a smile on their face and a song in their heart, prepared to do it over and over again.

And thats EXACTLY what Im going to do!

So, as you get ready for the New Years, enjoy the falls and the hilkes back up the hill. The ride is TOTALLY worth it.

Live, love and laugh as much as possible EVERY DAY!

<3 H

Why drinking in the morning should be socially acceptable for people like me…..ok, just me.

Its fairly well known around this house that Mom can, at times, have a “potty mouth”. Yes, Mom meaning me. I know..I know… ::gasp:: Heather! such language! Well.. there is one thing I know for sure…. God never sent anyone to hell for cussin’. So the situation this morning that made this post possible kinda took me off guard initially when it happened.

Set the stage:: Its about oh, I’d say, 8:45 in the morning. I am standing in the downstairs bathroom doing Kasey Mae’s hair. and if you have ever seen Kasey Mae get her hair brushed then you know that is wasn't going down too smoothly.  Enter Ryan from the hallway.. wound like a top and not even remotely ready for school. I am directing him to A.) pack his lunch, B.) get his socks and shoes on and C.) go brush his teeth. Well, as mentioned in a recent Facebook post.. it seems what I think are simple requests, are actually children's code for some horrific, brutal, cataclysmic torture that causes the child the request is directed at, to temporarily loose their mind and go insane. For Ryan, this temporary insanity expressed itself as an absolute REFUSAL to go brush his teeth. Because, he is under the impression that he is the ONLY child I have that I demand this brutal practice of. Not 12 hours prior to this argument, did I have the exact SAME discussion upstairs in my bedroom. And again, as I told him the night before, I explained to him that he never sees me yelling at the other kids to brush their teeth because they either brush them without me having to tell them, or they go brush them as soon as i gently remind them the first time… not the 500th. Mind you, I am still trying to put Kasey's hair into pigtails and apparently every hair in her head contains about 650,000 pain receptors as she is grunting and squeaking like a hamster stuck in a running dryer. And as the argument with Ryan escalates, I admit, I just MIGHT have been getting a little rough with the comb and ponytail holders. So, Ryan keeps at me, Kasey is crying and somewhere in the distance I hear my last nerve snap like the pony holder I just broke in Kasey's hair.So, finally… I just yell… “SON OF A BITCH! JUST GO THE HELL UPSTAIRS AND BRUSH YOUR GOD DAMN TEETH! NOW!!!!!!!”

Well, I guess it was then that Ryan's last nerve snapped… and he SCREAMS back at me… “ IM CALLING THE POLICE!!!!! CHILD ABUSER!!!!!!”

Um… ::blink::      WHAT??????

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the look on Kasey's face was ALMOST as shocked as mine. But since by now she was doubled over in pain because I just yanked half of one of her very lopsided pigtails out of her head in a knee-jerk response to Ryan's outburst, I could no longer see her face in the bathroom mirror. I'm just betting it was a pretty good “OMG Ryan is SOOOOOOOOO dead” face. With possibly even a few tears thrown in for added drama.

I ask… ok.. I don't ask.. I YELL “WHAT???”

He says to me “ I'm going to call the POLICE , because your CURSING at your CHILD!!!”

And I actually started to laugh. “Oh REALLY? You want to call the police….because I cursed at you? Well … let me save them the trip… I will actually TAKE you to the police station, where  you can then file the complaint in person. OK?”

He shouts back “YEAH! That is a good idea! “

By now, Kasey has ran to get everyone else in the house who just might happen to have NOT heard Ryan go batshit, so they can all witness together, what just may be Ryan's last words on this planet as a child who doesn't walk with a permanent limp.

“Fine Ryan, I’ll take you.. but before we go, you need to go get your socks and shoes on…and go upstairs and BRUSH YOUR F*&%ING TEETH!”

And he did….

and I drove him…

RIGHT TO SCHOOL!

So, yeah…. I have a potty mouth sometimes.. but I swear.. ITS ALL THEIR FAULT!!!!

how can such a sweet face cause me such grief???

Live long, love much and laugh…. OFTEN!

<3

Its a Jersey Thing…. whatever the heck THAT means…..

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The summer is over… and yes, all the tourists are gone. And now is where the REAL folks from the Jersey Shore start to come out to play. We do not require massive amounts of alcohol to enjoy our beach. nor do we require deep fried “what ever you can find and shove in the fryer” as part of our Nutritional Pyramid. The real Jersey Shore folks are a timid bunch. We quietly stroll the beaches, smiling and nodding to each other, walking our dogs (you know a local, because they actually pick up their dogs crap) and truly enjoying the gorgeous landscape that stretches out before us. The gift of the what seems to be infinite ocean and its never ending rush of waves that pour out across the sand like a salty, bubbly seltzer. Friends power walk and discuss the most recent scandal hitting the local school board, seniors sit on benches and talk about who cheated at last weeks bingo or how much they had to pay to get their car fixed, AGAIN! And me, I walk silently with my earphones tucked in just one ear so I get the beauty of the music on my iPod AND the beauty of the music God gave me from the seagulls, rustling sedges and the crushing waves mere feet from where i stroll. In my hands I hold my camera… my constant. I resigned myself this particular day to NOT take pictures of my usual, unusual stuff… I thought about all the pictures i saw cheaply displayed on my television this summer. The glimpses of my beach that TMZ spread like honey across the internet. And I though… no one gets to see MY Seaside…. My boardwalk is just as awesome a site without the flashing lights,the cacophony of the of sun burnt, sleep deprived, over fed vacationers, the din of hundreds of teenagers making minimum wage, trying to lure oblivious visitors to play their game where “even if you loose you will win” because they will give you a prize no matter what! (suckers- give me a buck, I’ll give you the lint out of my pocket and have Charlie tell you a nock-nock joke, a far better prize then the pathetic stuffed animal the size of your appendix they give you as your prize, go ahead…Google how big an appendix is… its TINY and useless!). You don't have to see the orange haze of self tan spray that is the cast of The Jersey Shore approaching to know that something really awesome is just ahead of you. Yes, we ALL know that nothing says SUMMER like the sounds, tastes and smells of the boardwalk. But we Jersey Shore folks are not to be measured as a whole based on a few weeks of drinking and debauchery glamorized on a reality show that is ANYTHING but realistic. I was born in NJ… so was my husband. We, as a couple make the perfect storm of what NJ is.. Irish (me) and Italian (he)… (and now you understand why our kids are so dang gorgeous) We like Bruce, we like Bon Jovi..but I have NEVER worn animal print and not once has Joe ever announced to me that it was GTL time…. (I'm not all that sure that Joe even knows what the heck GTL even IS!) Neither one of us have ever gone “clubbing” and that whole “Its a Jersey thing!” is lost on us. We ARE Jersey…and have NO CLUE what it means…

SO, back to my pictures. I figured I would show you what the Jersey Shore looks like when all the hoopla and foolishness are packed up and long gone. because when the cameras stop filming and the lights go out, when the Frog Bog is closed and the Khors Soft Serve Custard doors are rolled down for the last time till next summer, we are still here…. We don't creep around in our deserted town like Gollum looking for his precious. In fact its almost like then end of the movie 2012 and all the people gather by the metal doors, All waiting for the gates to open up to the sunshine and fresh air of the new world that awaits them. Us locals, after months of being holed up at home because the traffic is brutal, beaches are packed ass to elbow and the restaurants are filled with loud obnoxious and usually drunk travelers, we take the first chance we get to head back out to “the boards” and enjoy the view. And what a view it is.

So don't believe everything you see on tv. Because sometimes the glamorized image isn't all that glamorous. Sometimes, when you pull back all the bling and spandex, wipe off all that mascera and self tan, things actually look better. Sure its fun… but that's what we have Halloween for. The rest of us Jersey folk know that the true Jersey is more about working hard, raising a family and enjoying your community. Which I do! IMMENSELY!

 

Live, love and laugh, kids…. it really makes a difference… <3

(oh, by the way, GTL means gym-tan-laundry…hahaha)

well..gooooolllllly kids.. its been FOREVER! Yes, its me.. Im still alive despite it having been summer vacation ie: hell at my house.. And hell is an understatement. No lie, i swear that if you were to view the the East Coast of the United States from the space shuttle, NJ would look just like a peice of bacon. Well.. a peice of bacon with an oompa loompa on it. Thank you Snooki. This summer we have been super crazy. Kylie did decide to take a brief hiatus at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for about 5 days in late May early June because of some severe neck pain.. to be on the safe side we had to rule out things like blood clots adn skeletal disorders. She still gets sore, but so far this summer she has had no complaints while at camp. Kylie has been staying with friends, The Willmans this summer so that she can attend an amazing camp in Tinton Falls. As much as we miss her, the opportunity for her is by far more important then how much I miss my little peanut. She only misses her puppy Kazoo anyway.... In fact, I made Kazoo a Facebook page so that she can keep in touch with her little buddy. We attended the DBA week of Camp SUnshine 2010 edition and barely survived the experience! No... honestly it was a humbling and blessed experience yet again. Our "families' have all grown and changed.. We added some new families and sadly have lost some as well. I always say, having DBA is like being a member of a club that no one wants to be a part of BUT membership does have its priveledges.... and meeting these folks is definately one of those priveledges. I have to skedaddle, but I PROMISE i will be back sooner arather then later to update everyone on the joys of being home all summer with 8 kids, 8 dogs and a rabbit. I know.. I know ... your all jealous, right?
Love you all!

140 Miles To A Cure!

all right kids.... you know i never ask for ANYTHING.. but this?? i will beg for... Please help secure Kylies future by helping fund the research that has already saved her life MANY times over. Support Joe Creiler. Support Kylie..Support all the families that will someday hear "Your child has DBA".....
anmd yes, i promise to update soon.. its just been impossible for me to find time to sit and write ! Believe you me, its more frustrating for ME then YOU! Its MY therapy!
(and yes..you ALL know how desparately I need therapy! )

Dear DBA Families and Friends, Many times throughout our DBA journey, our lives intertwine with amazing people… sometimes heroes. It is our pleasure to introduce you to a true DBA hero. Joe Crelier from Albuquerque, NM is a regular blood donor, who recently learned about DBA. Joe was so touched by our families that he has decided to go the extra 140.6 miles for us!! In honor of our patients and families, Joe will be participating in the Janus Charity Challenge in. Our “Ironman” will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles, dedicating each step to our DBA families. Joe sets his ambitions high and he has also set a goal of raising $100,000.00 for the Diamond Blackfan Anemia Foundation to continue our mission of supporting our families and funding important DBA research. We have been amazed and truly humbled by Joe’s generosity, determination, kindness, and concern. We are reaching out for your assistance. Help support Joe in his selfless and inspiring feat. Please visit our website http://www.DBAFoundation.org/ for a link to Joe’s page, or access it directly at http://januscharitychallenge.kintera.org/cda10/dbaf. Donations can be made through our website, Joe’s page, or by mailing a check directly to the DBAF. Please indicate that your donation is in support of Joe. Please pass this information on to your families and friends and be a part of this remarkable accomplishment. Joe will be training hard for the next nine months and I ask that you help to keep him motivated and inspired. Let’s show him the DBA community around the world appreciates his hard work!

um..last post ..JULY!? yep..thats right.. JULY! I know, i know... that was one hell of a potty break. Well.. my apologies.. Apparently my gallblader and stomach lining did not feel like making nicy nice with me and went on a revolt. After a week in the hospital in August, i was on an 8 week mission to heal my ulcers and break my misbehaving gallbladder like a Wild Pony. So..count.. End of August.. add 8 weeks and that brings us to......November and Decemner. OMG....Thats right! its the holidays again and what does that mean for us Monicas? CHAOS! DRAMA! TEARS AND ANXIETY!!! Next week, we will explore the realm of transcendental meditation just to get a break for FIVE FREAKIN MINUTES! But first , I digress, go back to August when I ended up in the hospital with a plethora of bleeding ulcers and a sludgy gall bladder. Well.. word on the street is that I had some weird bile duct syndrome and the flaps on the bile ducts valves weren't listening when my brain would scream "OPEN THE FLOOD GATE!!!SEND IN THE BILE! DIGEST THAT FOOD!" So my gallbladder would swell up with bile and hurt like a mother father. While in the hospital my GB was functioning at a mere 23%..anything below 35% and they deem it "organa non grata" and banish it to the nearest medical incinerator. BUT..since I had a bounty of ulcers, that could have been contributing to the failure they gave me 8 weeks to heal up and get my bile ducts in order..Well, 8 weeks came and went...and after a scope that showed I was healed from the ulcers I had a Nuclear Function Study of my purdy lil gallbladder and dangfalbbit it seems I'm STILL no good at tests. The shot me with a chemical that made my brain think I was eating greasy, fatty food, like Wendy's or McDonald's.Then I got the nuclear stuff that made my gallbladder show up.. well it was SUPPOSED to show up...It almost didn't!And I don't mean stage fright. It was functioning so slowly they almost thought they did not give my the right radioactive toxic waste in my veins. Then in the last 10 mins, there it was.. and OMG.. it was swollen...it was UGLY.. IT WAS KILLING ME! I said dang!!.. if I knew it was gonna hurt so much I would have just eaten the Wendy's fries and burger.. whatta jypp! All the pain, none of the pleasure.The next day the news came in. 16% functionality. Oh snap! When I fail .. I fail BIG TIME! So...where does that lead us? ::insert dramatic crescendo:: dun dun daaaaaaaa!!!!! SURGERY!!!!! Well.. no big thang. Gallbladder surgery these days are day stay! Wham bam, thank you ma'am! ha... riiiight.... I saw your eyebrows raise. Your thinking the same thing i was. "me? easy? day stay? uncomplicated? ppffftttttt...." Now... in the interim, the last few months i had an ovarian cyst that got a little unruly. The ultra sound showed a hemorrhagic cyst that was leaking fluid into my belly. I looked about 9 months pregnant. and was in constant pain. That coupled with the gall bladder and ulcers made for a very cranky mommy. Very. But since these things come and go, and considering the abuse my girly parts have taken, the presence of a cyst was not a suprise to anyone. After scheduling the surgery, I had a follow up ultrasound for the cyst. I complained it was getting bigger..not smaller..and to appease me, they said they would look again. Usually with the "natural cycle" these things diminish and reabsorb...ahem..usually.... SO.. I get the US and the tech instantly says HOLY CRAP! Yeah..that's what I thought... diminished my butt... It was GINORMOUS! So.. I get shuffled down hall to see the Dr. and I tell her "oh, by the way, on Tuesday I'm having an abdominal laproscopy to remove my gallbladder" She said..cool! we can take the cyst and probably the ovary because THIS isn't supposed to happen..these cysts should get smaller eventually not continue to grow insanely like this... yeah yeah..whatever... just get rid of it please. Calls were made, approvals granted and that's right! I get a BOGO surgery! buy one , get one) During all this time I was constantly reminding the Dr's that I was full of adhesions from 8 pregnancies, endometriosis and a hysterectomy. The surgeon said it was possible this surgery would be a lil more complicated..but still a piece of cake nonetheless....It was a piece of somethign all right.. and it sure wasent cake. And here is were i will take my break ... I'm home with a brutal sinus infection and fever and I need a nap. I will continue this story later! Happy Nappy, kids!