A Long & Rainy Weekend

The boys had a long weekend.  We filled our time very well.  They even got to make an Arbonne sales call with me, my customer was so sweet to let me bring them along.

The house begins to look like Halloween with Ronan's homemade decorations.  When he was just old enough to hold a crayon, we would create homemade crafts and art to decorate for each holiday.  I am not creative so I usually turn to the internet for inspiration.  I was out for a little while and returned home to find John and the boys immersed in Halloween decorating activities.  Now, Ronan begins the process without prompting and creations I would never have imagined adorn our home.  Below is the first of the planned flying bat, ghost and jack-o-lantern.

Window stickies compliments of Miss Donna.

Lots of therapy for Riley to Dr. Steve Stohler's new chiropractic office location.  We are so fortunate to have Dr. Steve give his time and expertise to keeping Riley healthy.  One day soon I will share our introduction to Dr. Steve.  Then on to horseback riding at Naples Equestrian Challenge.  For the 3rd session in a row Riley performed beautifully, working hard without even being asked to push up and sit up, smiling all the while.  He does appear to perform better on the cooler, rainy days.  No pictures again... I was busy being Riley's sidewalker.

My mother has returned from up North.  We are all glad to have her back.  Ronan brought back another tradition the moment she returned... games.  We may all be a little gamed out after quite a bit of Monopoly Junior and Rummicub which he expects to play again this evening, I suspect the day will be full enough.  I'm glad he enjoys that time together:-)

Today he has Physical Therapy and later a school conference.

When I wonder where my time goes and how I accomplish not nearly as much as intended, I can look back and remember how these moments ate up my time.  I do need to get life on track.  But, all this care for Riley is invaluable to our future.  The healthier Riley is... the healthier our family is... it's worth every moment.  Admittedly though, I am quite challenged to put it all in perspective and time budgeted.

So, how do you all balance the needs of your special child with health care and educational needs which dominate the family life?

It is ADHD Awareness Week.  Here is a link to the current CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder) newsletter with helpful articles.

We are all special.. by Stacie Wiesenbaugh

"I talk to God..."

The Mommyhood Chronicles is hosting Saturday's Top 5 Laugh's and I Remember, The Lightning and the Lightning-Bug.

My contribution is a memory from October 2008:

Where did my toddler disappear to?  Searching the house, I entered the bathroom to find Ronan laboring away seated on the small red potty.  

Seeing me, he explained that he was in there “talking to God.”  Quite seriously he went on, “I talk to God when I’m on the toilet.”    

This unexpected response left me wondering all day long how he had decided to spend his time on the toilet praying...  Each evening we recited simple prayers together and John and I each encouraged a relationship with God; however, I did not recall recommending this practice.  

Entering the bathroom, the tones of confidentiality indicated a spirituality beyond the child's prayer I had selected for Ronan each evening from The Golden Treasury of Prayers for Boys and Girls.

Mystified by this behavior, I mentioned it to my husband, John, later in the evening.  Confession time for John: Weeks earlier Ronan kept knocking on the bathroom door and asking "Daddy, what are you doing in there?"  After repeated this demand each time Daddy was found alone in the bathroom, John changed his original explanation to “talking to God.”   

Ronan has taken this as his example of how to spend his bathroom time.

We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh

Buck Corner October 2011 Newsletter

Buck Corner

 

October 2011

Happy Fall Everyone!  Here in Paradise, windows thrown wide open, we are once again immersed in school activities, fundraisers, horseback riding and preparing for the holidays.

As you can see above, Riley maintains his celebrity status (read about “his interview” on NBC television in Rileys-Smile and the newspaper). 

The Shark Tooth Guy is launching a new line (photo above/see below for more details).  New fossils?  Is he still alive? 

Don’t let YOUR SKIN BE THE SCARIEST thing this Halloween Season... Arbonne Skin Care and Nutritionals.  Is offering new promotions and products (coupon in this newsletter!).

We sincerely thank you all for taking a moment to share our endeavors and the positive encouragement we have received.  Questions and inquiries are welcome and we look forward to hearing from you.

Plant you now, dig you later,

Stacie & John

 THE SHARK TOOTH GUY

 

DID THE SHARK TOOTH GUY GET EATEN!!!!???  No, John has been working 6 days a week (real life job) and had a major ear infection that has kept him out of the water.  But, he has used that time to create some ideas/new lines that will be presented in November.  Small hint:

Website/Blog devoted to Shark and Fossil education (geared towards kids and “adults who are kids at heart”).

A new line of fossils that make for interesting displays for the serious collectors all the way down to someone who wants to own to prehistoric pencil holder!

Activities/links that you can participate in to learn more about fossils and have fun discovering (ages 4-100)

Stay tuned (be patient (but not 6 Million Years!)

 

Fossil Kits &   Healthy Treats:

Grandkid Favorites

Fossil kits are still available ($20-$60 including shipping). 

Interested in giving out shark teeth for Halloween instead of candy?  200 teeth/fossils (and cards explaining the fossils inside) : $35  (limited supplies).

 

Having a Halloween Party?          Chocolate is a must.

Chocolate Cheesecake….. $25

(Special Spooky Halloween Design)

Delivery included:

Naples/Bonita/FM residents

Tailgate Special for the man and woman: Chocolate chili (a robust sausage chili with hints of cinnamon and Mexican Chocolate).

Going to a Halloween Party or Holiday Event? Call and discuss how we can cater an easy but gourmet dish for you to bring ($19-$65)

ARBONNE INTERNATIONAL

Does your body feel like you are wearing a costume?  Does your skin look worse than a Mummy?....

 

Introducing Arbonne Essentials!

Just What Every Body Needs
Announcing the Arbonne Essentials launch, nutritional solutions that are individually targeted to meet your body's needs. Formulated with active botanicals, the Arbonne Essentials line is comprised of 22 products, which support a range of areas including digestion, immunity boost, increased energy and weight management. 

Shop for Pure, Safe, & Beneficial skincare, nutrition, weight loss, aromatherapy, and color products.

A Halloween Treat for Mom or Dad!

What is your costume? Scared of those lines and wrinkles?   Arbonne has a treat for you!

This coupon entitles you to a 15% discount on any Arbonne order placed prior to Halloween!

Certified Vegan Makeup  (cow approved)

Arbonne Holiday

FREE SHIPPING!!!

NEW PRODUCTS!!!

NEW PROMOTIONS!!!!

EVEN BE YOUR OWN BOSS!

Explore the Holiday line here.

 

Fight Brain Aging & Stay Mentally Sharp

It’s never too late or too soon to start thinking about protecting your brain as you age. After age 40, we may notice our minds start to slip on occasion (don’t tell me if I’m the only one). It’s common to notice subtle or gradual changes in memory, perception, thinking, problem solving, and judgment. Fortunately, leading experts no longer believe this decline is an inevitable part of life. Your brain is hard-wired to change.

Stephen Stohler, DC &

Jennifer Foster, DC, Naples, FL

Freedom Waters Foundation
We have geared up for our first big event of the season, The Stonecrab Festival 
 Oct. 28—30, 2011!  

We are prominent at Tin City WE NEED YOU THERE!

 

rrflorida@embarqmail.com

thesharktoothguy@embarqmail.com

The Shark Tooth Guy on Facebook

www.Rileys-Smile.blogspot.com

Riley Met A Goal!

"Riley met a goal!" Miss Emily announced when we arrived for Physical Therapy at All Children's Monday afternoon.  Now this is a statement that I am rather unfamiliar with hearing. 

Every movement Riley makes takes incredible effort.  In the past year, John and I have marveled at his new skill: Riley at the age of eight learned to lift his left arm up to his face and with the back of his wrist rub his own eyes.  Now, depending on your experiences this is either the one of the saddest skills you have ever heard or you are at this moment incredibly jealous that my child can now rub his own eyes when they itch.  What is life like if you cannot do this for yourself.

If you can relate to this being an amazing milestone, you understand the difficulty of meeting therapy goals in order to qualify to keep therapy.  Our goal will not keep us in therapy.  But our goal does show that Riley is working and working hard to improve his abilities.

Are you ready?  Here it is.  While maintaining a weight bearing position on his elbows, Riley held is head up without help for 10 seconds.  10 Seconds!  It's a beautiful moment to see my child improve and become stronger.

Next, we get to maintain this ability.  So much work to do.

To do all he does, Riley is Superman.

We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh

Today's Inspirational Post is at kidz - I Know Different.  Please check it out.

Please visit my fellow blogger at It's Just Life for Comments for A Cause for October

• For every comment on any post during October I will donate 50 cents to UNICEF!

Got Respite... Go Fly A Kite

We are so blessed to have respite now.. through the Partners In Care program we are able to request about 150 hours a year.  I had lined it up awhile back hoping John and I could dive together this past Saturday.  Diving, however, is out for John at the moment due to his ear infection.  So, Riley happily settled with Nurse Debbie, John, Ronan and I headed to a secluded beach off Lover's Key with our kite.

It never escapes us that we can never take family outings as other families do.  Riley is always left behind or the outings must revolve around Riley's needs.  But, we have a son who needs these adventures and off we went.  Discovering he was required to wade through a lagoon to arrive on the beach upset Ronan at first, but by the end of the day he was the first one charging in ignoring all the crabs and jumping fish.

We are all special... by Stacie Wiesenbaugh

Holiday Open House in Bonita Springs Tomorrow

We've got the coolest gifts around.
Get ahead of the Holidays this year so you can actually enjoy them.

Time has come to start thinking about holiday shopping.  Several local business women are coming together for an Open House to showcase our businesses and help you prepare for the holidays.  I will be joined by my friends from Creative Memories, Mary Kay, 31 and Pampered Chef.  Please join us and bring a friend!

Time: Sunday October 9, 10:30 - 2:00 pm

Location: Homewood Suites, 8901 Highland Wood Blvd., Bonita Springs, FL
North of W. Terry St. along US 41 (Tamiami Tr.) on the east side.

I am offering 15% discount on Arbonne to each who mention this post.  

Happy Retirement to Kokomo Joe of Naples Equestrian Challenge

Fire Prevention Week

This site has lots of helpful information

Return to Florida: Donna Lee

I would like to begin with a new years blessing.

It is going to be a Fantastic year, I can feel it!  As was this summer.

As you all know, my brother received my bone marrow, and as of today, his latest biopsy shows 91% of it being his own. Thank you God. The month of September I spent with my 14 month-old grandson, helping him to adjust to daycare and spending as much time as possible bonding with him. He rode his first choo choo train with "safta" (grandma in Hebrew). I was very privileged to have had that time with him.

Presently I am back in Naples, Florida and my first visit, after mom, was to Riley and his family. Riley had a tough summer, involving seizures and coughs, increasing his muscle tone, tightening them, as well as his tendons and ligaments. After not seeing him for 4 months, I noticed how much he has grown, especially taller. He seemed to have enjoyed the massage, because, as I pointed out in a previous blog, he vocalizes and sings to me.

I started out wishing us all a wonderful new year, or Shana Tova (Hebrew), filled with good health, happiness and productivity. This week I will resume my volunteer work at Naple's Equestrian Challenge, become a more active participant in Freedom Waters Foundation organization, continue dancing with my buddies from the Federation For Developmentally Disabled, at Fred's Diner, every Tuesday evening, and of course, visit Riley on a weekly basis. Being part of these activities, gives me the energy of life and fills my soul with true abundance. Thank you God.

Donna Lee
Nameste v'Shalom

New digital Parenting Specialneeds Magazine is out today.

Shared by Debby Frenkel:

Freedom Waters Foundation Friends: 

FWF Made the News in Naples tonight!  Thank you to Paul Gessler who did a great job on the story at ABC!

Enjoy and please forward and share with all your friends ----

Here's the link to the story: http://www.abc-7.com/global/story.asp?s=15637085

Here's to what we do!  Thank you all who Make it Happen! 

Debby

Today's discovery for my international readers: European Disability Forum