Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Weak

Today kicks off a national campaign to raise awareness of congenital heart defects! As most of you know, my daughter, Michele was born with a heart defect, so this week is near and dear to me!

Congenital Heart Disease is considered to be the most common birth defect, and is a leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide.
Despite the fact that CHD affects approximately 1.8 millions families in the U.S.,  a relatively small amount of funding is currently available for parent/patient educational services, research, and support.

Congenital Heart Defect Fact Sheet

• Sometimes during early pregnancy, a baby's heart fails to form properly, resulting in structural abnormalities known as Congenital Heart Defects. Although some defects are genetic, in many cases  the cause  is unknown.
• It is estimated that 40,000 babies with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are born in the United States each year. More than 1 million American children and adults with Congenital Heart Defects and Childhood Onset Heart Disease are alive today.*
• CHD is the most frequently occurring birth defect, and is the leading cause of birth-defect related deaths.
• Although some babies will be diagnosed at birth, newborns are not routinely screened for CHD. The consequences of a late diagnosis can have serious, lifelong implications, so it is important for the public to be aware of the signs and symptoms in newborns, and children.
• Some CHDs may not require treatment other than periodic visits to a Pediatric Cardiologist. Others can be treated with medications or repaired with surgery and/or procedures. Complex defects may require several surgeries and are never really "cured".
• Many cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes are caused by undiagnosed CHDs and Childhood Onset Heart Disease.
• It is estimated that more adults than children are living with congenital heart disease, and this population is expected to grow by 5% each year. Yet, many adults with CHD are not receiving adequate ongoing care from trained  specialists.

    Signs and Symptoms of Heart Defects

Parents should be alert to the following symptoms in infancy: Tires easily during feeding (i.e. falls asleep before feeding finishes Sweating around the head, especially during feeding Fast breathing when at rest or sleeping Pale or bluish skin color Poor weight gain Sleeps a lot - not playful or curious for any length of time   Puffy face, hands, and/or feet  Often irritable, difficult to console

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Some children with CHDs may not have any symptoms until later in childhood. Things to look for include: Gets out of breath during play Difficulty "keeping up" with playmates Tires easily/sleeps a lot Change in color during active play or sports (looks pale or has a bluish tint around mouth and nose) Frequent colds and respiratory illnesses Slow growth and weight gain/poor appetite Complains of chest pain and/or heart pounding

If your child has two or more of these symptoms, talk to your pediatrician about a referral to a Pediatric Cardiologist.

Inclusion on the following lists does not necessarily imply endorsement, nor do we guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on these sites. Always consult your physician(s) with your questions and concerns. Adults with CHD Informational Resources Defect/syndrome Specific sites        Organizations Early Intervention/Special Education Summer Camps Grief /Bereavement Transplant Resources             Health Care/Insurance Web Guides Humanitarian Organizations   Return to the Internet links Home Page Adults with CHD Information ACC/AHA 2008 Guidelines for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease A Guide for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease Adult Congenital Heart Clinics Adult Congenital Heart Disease Passport (ACC) Adult Congenital Heart Disease: A Patient and Family Guide Care of the Adult With Congenital Heart Disease - 32nd Bethesda Conference ACHD CHAT with Richard Donner, M.D. Topics: Ablation; Atrial Arrhythmias; Coarctation Repair; Eisenmenger's Syndrome; Hemoptysis; Nose Bleeds; Pulmonary hypertension in TOF; Scoliosis; Valve Replacement CHD and Pregnancy Links to articles in medical journals Especially for Patients - ISACCD Living with Heart Failure: Information and Support for Patients and Caregivers Parents and ACHD'ers Speak Out! Pregnancy and Congenital Heart Disease Questions and Answers with Mary Cannobio, RN, MN, FAAN Gynecologic/Reproductive Issues in Congenital Heart Disease Insurance and Legal Issues Americans with Disabilities Act (U.S.) A comprehensive resource published by the U.S. Department of Justice Consumer Guides for Getting and Keeping Health Insurance (U.S.) Information about insurance law and assistance programs listed by state Support ACHD Online Support Group Adult Congenital Heart Association (U.S.) Canadian Adult Congenital Heart Network Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance Grown Up Congenital Heart Patients Association (UK) top of page Early Intervention/Special Education Early Intervention A Parent's Guide to Understanding Developmental Assessment Programs for Infants and Toddlers (U.S.) Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and families Special Education (School Age - U.S.) A Parent's Guide to Section 504 FAQ about Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities Learning Disabilities:A Guide to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) LD Basics Sensory Integration Disorder Your Child�s Evaluation The Differences Between IDEA and Section 504 The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools Speech/Language Auditory Processing Disorder Normal Speech/Language Milestones Speech and Language Disorders: General information about specific speech and language disorders Grief/Bereavement Books about the Death of a SIbling Experiencing the Death of a Sibling as a Child GriefNet Memorial Garden Pregnancy and Infant Loss Center SHARE: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support The Compassionate Friends, Inc. The MISS Foundation top of page Health Care/Insurance 5 Steps to Understanding How HIPAA May Affect You A Consumer Guide to Handling Disputes with Your Employer or Private Health Plan Benefits For Children With Disabilities Child Health Law and Policy Project Consumer Guides for Getting and Keeping Health Insurance (U.S.) Directory of State Title V Children with Special Health Care Needs Programs Disability Evaluation Under Social Security (SSI) Emergency Information Form for Children with Special Health Care Needs Evaluating Managed Care Plans for Children with Special Health Care Needs Healthcare Coverage Options Database Health Care Financing Administration Health Insurance Consumer Guides HIPAA - National Standards to Protect the Privacy of Health Information HIPAA: Your rights to health insurance portability How to Use Your Managed Care Effectively (American Academy of Pediatrics) Institute for Child Health Policy Insure Kids Now Medicaid: State & Territorial Government Information National Coalition on Health Care The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) RxAssist:Patient Assistance Program Center SSI: Your Right to Appeal top of page Humanitarian Organizations Aldo Casteneda Foundation Big Love Little Hearts Children's Heart Link Healing The Children Heart Gift Heart to Heart International International Children's Heart Foundation International Hospital for Children PatientTravel.org - National Patient Air Transport HELPLINE Project Open Hearts Save A Child's Heart Shevet Achim Spencer's Fund The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation top of page Informational Resources Glossaries / Dictionaries Glossary of CHD Glossary - NASPE Library of Heart Diagrams: Royal Children's Hospital The Heart Center Encyclopedia Medical Information Cardiopulmonary Bypass Center Watch: Clinical Trials Listing service CHD Fact Sheet Child Physiology Children and Clinical Studies Genetic Counseling Genetics Home Reference Medline Plus: Drug Information Non-Invasive Tests and Procedures Map of the Human Heart (PBS) Pediatric Heart Conditions: Surgical Procedures Resources for patients in the UK What is ECMO? What is Genetic Testing? Medical Literature MEDLINEplus: Congenital Heart Disease PubMed: Literature Search Engine (Medical Journals) Parenting 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors in Children Adolescent Health Transition Project Caring for the Baby with Congestive Heart Failure Developmental Tools for Families and Providers Emergency Preparedness for Children With Special Health Care Needs Factors Contributing to Congenital Heart Disease Family Developmental Charts Feeding Your Infant with Congenital Heart Disease Growth and Development Helping Siblings Cope  Informed Consent, Parental Permission, and Assent in Pediatric Practice (AAP) National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities - State Resources Pain, Pain, Go Away: Helping Children with Pain Preparing Siblings for Surgery Sibling Support Project The Care Notebook Transition Resources Supporting the Dynamic Development of Youth with Disabilities During Transition: A Guide for Families William's Heart Operation - an online booklet for parents Organizations/Foundations United States (National) Aubrey Rose Hollenkamp Children's Trust The Alliance of Genetic Support Groups Brave Kids Cardiac Kids Have H.E.A.R.T. Foundation Children's Rights Around the World Harrison's Heart Foundation Heart of Gold, Inc. The Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation Mend A Heart Foundation National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities National Organization for Rare Disorders Pediatric Heart Research Association Ryan Andrew Kaiser Memorial Foundation SADS Foundation Saving Tiny Hearts Society Spare Key Foundation Starbright Pediatric Network Stronghearts - Seamus Carroll Duffy Memorial Foundation The Braveheart Foundation The Children's Heart Foundation  United States - For specific Conditions Barth Syndrome Foundation Cardiac Arrhythmias Research and Education Foundation, Inc. CHARGE Syndrome Foundation Inc. Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association Kawasaki Disease Foundation National Marfan Foundation Pulmonary Hypertension Association SADS Foundation Spencer Crawford Children's Foundation-Pulmonary Vein Stenosis The Anthony Bates Foundation (HCM) The Noonan Syndrome Support Group The Turner's Syndrome Society of the United States United Patients Association for Pulmonary Hypertension Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome Educational Foundation Williams Syndrome Association Australia Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome - Australian Information Site Canada Charge Syndrome The Canadian Marfan Association The Canadian SADS Foundation Turner's Syndrome Society France Association Nationale des Cardiaques Congnitaux Spain Josemaria Ordiales Foundation United Kingdom Children's Heart Federation Max Appeal (DiGeorge, VCFS) The UK Cardiomyopathy Association Little Hearts Matter (Single Ventricle Defects) CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young Pulmonary Hypertension Association The Association for Children with Heart Disorders top of page Summer Camps Camp Del Corazon California Camp Bon Coeur Louisiana Camp Braveheart Georgia Camp Kaleidoscope          Henderson, NC Camp Meridian Ossipee Mountains, NH Camp Odayin Cross Lake, MN Cardiac Kids Camp             Eva, TN  Camp Systole Kansas City, MO Hope with Heart P.O. Box 2736 Fair Lawn, N.J. 07410 Phone: 973-728-3854 The Edward Madden Memorial Open Hearts Camp 250 Monument Valley Road Great Barrington, MA 02130 Phone 413-528-2229 Heart Camp Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Camp Taylor Livermore, CA Victory Junction Randleman, NC Camp Moxie St. Paul, IN Dreams From the Heart Camp              Buffalo, NY The Boggy Creek Gang Eustis, FL top of page Transplant Resources Canadian Association of Transplantation National Transplant Assist Fund Transplant Living Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc(TRIO) UNOS Transplant Information Site Transweb top of page Web Guides Healthfinder - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services MEDLINEplus: Health Topics

I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Ravioli in a Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce

1 package refrigerated Ravioli
16 oz. jar of sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce (or just add chopped up sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce)
2 T. white wine
2 tomatoes, diced (I used a drained can of diced tomatoes)
1/2 cup FRESH basil
1/3 cup grated parmesan

1. Cook pasta according to directions on package
2. Pour sauce and wine into sauce pan and warm through
3. Add tomatoes and basil, cook on low for five minutes
4. Pour over pasta, top with cheese


I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Fun snowy day activities!

Snowed In Don't let the snow get you down. When the kids say they're bored or get tired of building snowmen, send them outside to try out one of these fun activities: Snow Hurdles Using a sand bucket, pack in snow to make a course of hurdles. After the course is complete, have them jump over the hurdles or do relays. Castle in the Snow Using a sand bucket, make a castle out of snow. Don't forget the moat! Treasure Hunt Freeze colored water in ice cube trays to make "jewels." Hide them throughout the yard and have your little pirates go on a scavenger hunt. For older kids, make a treasure map from crumpled construction paper, with "X" marking the spot of the treasure!

I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Ye old Giraffe

So there's this giraffe. He was Nick's FAVORITE toy from about 2 months to a year. I took a recent picture of him. You would never know he was almost 11 years old...and he still has his original ring around the neck. This was taken just before I started this blog :)

I looked and looked to see if I could find a picture (not in the album, since my scanner is not set up) of Nick and his Giraffe. But alas, I could not. So I found a pic that was around the time he had gotten Giraffe. 

3 years and 4 months after Nick was born, and 2 years after he had basically forgotten about Giraffe, Nick's sister Michele was born and inherited said Giraffe. 

In this picture is also Pink Kitty, which was her lovey for 11 months...then mama lost it :( I am still torn up over this, 6 years (last month) later! Michele loved having this Giraffe, probably because it was her most favorite person's...her big brother!!!!! 

7 years and 4 months after Nick was born, and 4 years after Michele was born, Wyatt came along. Well, he also inherited Giraffe! We thought we had given it away, and we were SO happy when we found it! 

There he is!!! Playing with Wyatt and a friend at our house in North Carolina. Wyatt was not as big into it as Nick or Michele. But he played with it!!

And now, 10 years and 4 months after we got Giraffe, our last lil one, Evan, is now the proud owner of Giraffe. He seems to LOVE this toy, maybe even more then Nick did!!!!! 

I guess I am just sentimental, and can not believe that, after all the toys they went through, this seems to have been a favorite among all 4 kids at different ages! Evan as I am typing this, 7 month old Evan is happily chewing away at Giraffe!!


I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Wordless Wednesday

I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Things that make you go WAHHHH

So recently I think my children (well the older 3) have become possessed! The only other thing I can think of, is that someone replaced my 3 well behave sweet children with aliens from the planet wefightconstantly. I am pretty sure this might be it! That would be the first 2 anyway...the almost 3 year old has been replaced with an alien from the planet noidoit. I love my kids...I have to keep telling myself this, or I may sell them to the Gypsies. (Better yet, maybe I will run away with the Gypsies!!!)

I am trying t figure out when they figured it was a good idea to constantly fight from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed?! What happened to my sweet kids...you know, like the ones in these pics?

Don't let that last one fool you, I am sure they probably fought before and after that pic was taken lol. 

But to my point...in last nights paper in the comic section, there was a comic on the front page that made me almost BAWL! Of course my kids were in bed, and I just had to go kiss each one. They just gorw up SO dang fast!!!! 

Here is the comic

Does that not just make you want to turn back time?! My oldest is 10, TEN?! Where did the past 10 years go!? My baby girl is 6, and will be 7 in 17 days, my lil man will be 3 in 10 days, and my baby is already past the 1/2 year mark!!! 

If I could have one wish right now, it would be to visit certain ages in my kids lives, just to relive some of those moments that meant so much to me! 

I hope that my kids can all look back on their childhood and have wonderful memories of things we did together, places we went, baseball and hockey games, and other fun things we did as a family. I just wish I could freeze time, and bask in the moment...fighting and all...

I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Help for Haiti

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti. Information is still becoming available and this page will be updated to help direct those interested in helping to the right places
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If you are looking for relatives and friends in Haiti, the ICRC has set up a Locate Your Relatives page:

http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/WFL_HTI.NSF/DocIndex/locate_eng?opendocument
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Phone number for Americans looking for their relatives in Haiti 1-888-407-4747
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Putting a stop to rumors: Facebook and twitter have been abuzz with incorrect info. American Airlines and Jet Blue are NOT offering free flights to medical personnel traveling to Haiti. UPS is NOT offering free shipping to Haiti for packages under 50 lbs. Please do not spread this false information as it can be damaging to legitimate relief efforts underway.

_____________________________

If you need to contact us, please email nick@itsjustlight.com
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For those interesting in helping immediately, simply text “HAITI” to “90999″ and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.


The following is a list of legitimate charities and organization in need of donations to help with the relief efforts underway in Haiti. Please note that while we wish we could list every charity collecting funds for the relief effort, we feel it is most effective to list the ones with an active, on-the-ground presence in Haiti, rather than the charities collecting funds to re-donate to one of the listed organizations. While everyone involved is playing an important role, we want to keep this list targeted to the organizations able to offer the most immediate help and assistance. Long links have been shortened for easy re-tweeting. A mirror of this list is available to share as well at:

http://itsjustlight.com/?page_id=777



American Red Cross International Relief Fund:

http://bit.ly/7pChi9

Canadian Red Cross:

http://bit.ly/12cR1n

The Humanitarian Coalition - Canada

http://bit.ly/6kOuoI

International Committee of the Red Cross

http://bit.ly/7zaFIy

IFRC - International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies:

http://bit.ly/6Gpu04

Action Aid International

http://bit.ly/7EGPHL

Disaster Emergency Committee

http://bit.ly/6BHLL9

Action Against Hunger

http://bit.ly/4ScKj9

AmeriCares

http://bit.ly/5jX9MK

MercyCorps:

http://bit.ly/4nyB0q

Oxfam America

http://bit.ly/6E9Xd8

Oxfam UK

http://bit.ly/6SwLAE

International Medical Corps:

http://bit.ly/89W696

Pan American Relief

http://bit.ly/74Opc2

ShelterBox:

http://bit.ly/4FVsTz

Medical Teams International:

http://bit.ly/4wxkal

Architecture for Humanity

http://bit.ly/8MDfJe

International Rescue Committee:

http://bit.ly/8AGZ90

AmeriCares Help For Haiti:

http://bit.ly/5bz7a9

Islamic Relief USA

http://bit.ly/4KzSDB

Food for the Hungry

http://bit.ly/67GBST

Doctors Without Borders:

http://bit.ly/4Yp1aN

Convoy of Hope

http://bit.ly/8BTzS7

UNICEF:

http://bit.ly/8RT4CQ

Childcare Worldwide

http://bit.ly/6hCvtv

Partners in Health:

http://bit.ly/7bsUly

International Organization for Migration:

http://bit.ly/66Ul9m

SOS Children's Village:

http://bit.ly/50W2ZR

Catholic Relief Services:

http://bit.ly/4OdwPp

Mennonite Central Committee

http://bit.ly/5S6OK0

St. Boniface Haiti Foundation:

http://bit.ly/6cUJzH

Kids Against Hunger:

http://bit.ly/4xjdUw

Lambi Fund

http://bit.ly/4ILGso

Episcopal Relief and Development

http://bit.ly/6v1rN7

Adventist Development and Relief Agency

http://bit.ly/4OCC3q

Compassion International

http://bit.ly/85QtXC

Outreach International:

http://bit.ly/7Xv7XE

Partners in Development:

http://bit.ly/6cE325

Hope for Haiti:

http://bit.ly/4EYFIH

Beyond Borders:

http://bit.ly/7RMCN8

American Jewish World Service:

http://bit.ly/4WYmif

Food for the Poor:

http://bit.ly/73ZcDj

Search Dog Foundation

http://bit.ly/5vdKei

Habitat for Humanity

http://bit.ly/90R7mp

Fondation Odette Roy Fombrun:

http://bit.ly/8GzxWW

Lutheran World Relief:

http://bit.ly/50DTq6

Haitian Health Foundation:

http://bit.ly/4BcsRr

Childcare Worldwide:

http://bit.ly/6hCvtv

Friends of the World Food Program:

http://bit.ly/7aEjXm

Madre.org:

http://bit.ly/8bEgZy

Samaritan's Purse:

http://bit.ly/5D9N3D

International Eye Foundation:

http://bit.ly/7jAajP

Operation USA:

http://bit.ly/8qOqNc

Save the Children:

http://bit.ly/7EL3MB

Save the Children Australia:

http://bit.ly/4Z8Oqy

Meds and Food for Kids:

http://bit.ly/5V778s

Direct Relief International:

http://bit.ly/8gLP7P

Salvation Army:

http://bit.ly/4YmC2j

Operation Blessing International:

http://bit.ly/GkW4N

World Wide Village:

http://bit.ly/5GRwph

International Relief Teams:

http://bit.ly/8qKk2f

CARE:

http://bit.ly/8VLrDr

World Vision:

http://bit.ly/5MMv0T

MOSCTHA - Socio-Cultural Movement of Haitian Workers

http://bit.ly/83RjKU

World Concern:

http://bit.ly/5lRt12

Mission Aviation Fellowship

http://bit.ly/7NrpDY

Converge Worldwide

http://bit.ly/7IX47Z

Products:

if you know of additional information that should be added to our page or if you feel one of these organizations does not belong, please email nick@itsjustlight.com

I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

first week in Albany

So we are finally here. We are still not sure how we will adjust aftter
Being in nice warm NC for the lasdt 3 years! It is very cold lol!!!
The kids enjoyed seeing their old friends as did we.
We even went to Friendly's for the first time in 3 years!

Here is hoping the warm NC weather follows us here soon!

I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Wordless Wednesday

I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

End of Week 2 trackout Friday, November 20

Today was the end of the second week of trackout! The kids had fun this week, but my camera broke!

We went to Chuck E. Cheese, for a couple walks, and to friends houses. Next week is not only the last week of trackout, but also Thanksgiving!!!

The kids are also looking forward to the big move!!! As of today, there are about 20 days left before we move!

I am the mom of 4 wonderful kids, 3 boys and 1 girl. Looking at them, you know I have had many years working with and enriching the lives of children. I have an Associates (Magna Cum Laude) in Business Management, and a Bachelors in Early childhood Development and Education with a concentration in Child Psychology. I have almost 20 years in the Early Childhood field, and loving every minute of it! You can visit my site here

Caramelized Onion & Cornbread Dressing/Stuffing

 

Super easy and inexpensive side that will be great for Thanksgiving dinner or any night.

You'll need...

2 tablespoons butter
2 onions, chopped
6 large cornmeal muffins, cubed
Handful fresh sage leaves, chopped
1 egg
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

To make...

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for about 10 minutes, or until soft and caramelized. Add sage and scrape into a large mixing bowl.

Add the cornbread pieces, season well with salt and pepper, and give it a good toss until it's well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, cream, and stock, and pour that over the cornbread. Stir the stuffing together and stuff the cavity of the turkey.  OR You could spoon it into a buttered baking dish and put it in the oven along with the turkey.

Bake until hot and crusty on top, about 30 minutes.

Makes 6-8 servings.

Cool craft idea: Stained Glass Leaf Mobile

 

You'll need...
construction paper or felt in autumn colors
poster board or cardboard (I recycle boxes from Costco for this)
scissors
white school glue

brown buttons

hot glue gun

 ribbon

 

To make...

Create the leaves, by tracing your child's, or the entire family's, hands on colored paper or felt. Then cut several hands in a variety of colors.

Cut the wreath ring shape using poster board or cardboard.

Glue the felt or paper hands randomly around the wreath, until the cardboard is covered. Make sure they overlap a bit and have the fingertips fan out from the wreath.
Attach buttons, or nuts in a cluster with a glue gun; a job for a grown-up. Glue your ribbon to the back to hang on a doorknob or hook.

So long North Carolina! I will miss you :(

So as of last night it is official...after 3 years 4 months in North Carolina, we are moving BACK to NY. This is a day I actually never thought we would see. It took 2 days to get down here in July 2006. I loved it here from day 1! I did/do miss family and friends up there,, but thought this was our new, permanent home. Two of our children were born here. I joined the most AWESOME mommies group EVER before coming here, and made some great friends along the way.

I will bring back to NY with me, some great memories! Moms nights out, craft night, movies with friends, karaoke, drunk guys hitting my friends that are obviously pregnant, birthday parties, TM birthday bashes (3 to be exact) holiday parties, great fun, food, CAKE and more!

I know I have great memories where we are going, and will make more, and I will miss my friends here. I hope we stay in touch!!!

My kids have changed SO much since moving here, it is amazing to see the change!

Here is Nick when we first moved here:

And now:

Michele then:

And now:

Wyatt was born 7 months after we moved here:

February 2007

And November 2009

 Such big changes in my babies!!!!!!

Of course, Evan was also born in NC...

June 2009

And November 2009

What change in only 4 months!

It will be amazing to see the changes once we are in NY again, 3 years from now. I can only imagine what they will look like, and what my friend's kids here will look like.

I will miss the births of a few friend's babies, but I know I can share in the joy on Facebook and on Triangle Mommies!

As you can see, I am both happy and sad. Happy to be near family again, near grandparents who missed the first 2 years of Wyatt's life and the last 3 of the older two, as well as not being able to see Evan.

Sad I will be leaving such awesome friends here! (you know who you are: Katy, Lisa, Faith, Susie, Aisha, and many more!)

I am hoping to have a party to say goodbye to all my awesome friends and their families!

I am sure you will all see many posts when we get back...

I will miss you NC!