Spring Break

This week is Spring break for Mitchell. We started break out with a snow storm on Friday. When Mitchell got home from school Thursday he went out in the backyard, in his shorts, to shoot some hoops. We woke up Friday morning to snow. After all was done we got about 7 inches of snow. If I remember correctly our newspaper said it is the biggest winter season snowfall since 79'. My adorable husband also took the week off of work. We don't have any definite plans but one thing for sure is that we will all be sleeping in every morning. The boys do have plans to go to Milwaukee on Friday. They love their Milwaukee Bucks. (basketball) Mitchell wants his room repainted for his birthday, in June. He wants it made into a basketball room. I'm trying to figure out something really cool & different to put on the main wall. A giant basketball or something. I'm researching. I don'tknow how much I will be on the computer this week. All depends on our plans. I'm sure the new girlfriend will be around some times too. Time for me to go to bed. I have been cooking & cleaning most of the day getting ready for Easter.
Hope everyone has a great Easter and enjoys their week.

Happy Anniversary

Today many are celebrating St. Patrick's Day. In our home we are celebrating the anniversary of my husband becoming a citizen of the United States. My husband came here many years ago not speaking a word of English and looking for a new direction in his life. I am very proud of my husband and all of his accomplishments. He taught himself English, got a job and has been working hard ever since. When we met and then became a couple he never hesitated to volunteer at our sons school or within the community. He is still very involved in our community. Now that our son is in middle school there isn't to much volunteering but when there is he is there. I say Mitchell is our son because my hubby, Polo, has been a father to Mitchell ever since we got together. Mitchell describes him as a dad because he says he gets up in the night when he is sick, takes him to the E.R. when not feeling well, plays ball in the yard, goes to school functions, share their love of basketball and most of all disciplines him when he needs it, the list goes on. This is a man that has come into this relationship knowing I have a incurable disease and not many men want to even date a woman who has a child from another relationship. Don't get me wrong we have had our ups and downs but I wouldn't have done it with anyone else. This is the man I want to grow old with. The other day he joked about finding out how Michael Jackson made himself white. Deep inside it broke my heart. I know he was joking but I think there was a bit of honesty in there. We have dealt with so much prejudice from so many. People judge him because of what they see on the outside not the inside. Plus he has worked very hard to get where he is, a citizen. If ever there was a button to be pushed that is mine. Don't judge someone because of what they look like. Again, happy anniversary to my husband, Polo. I am very proud of you and honored to be able to call myself your wife. I love you.

The Dating Continues......

So it has been a week now and my son still has his first girlfriend, Tara. Nothing major going on. They are on the phone constantly. My son hibernates in the basement so nobody can hear him. He just makes me laugh. I am trying not to be the pesty mom. I am giving him his space but keeping a close on eye on him at the same time. We have our small talks. It is funny because you would think he isn't listening but then he repeats it to you later. Mitchell is funny because he has already told Tara that once sports starts again he won't be around to much. He needs to give it 100%. She seems fine with it. She is into volleyball so she said the same thing to him. I haven't actually met her yet but when she calls she always tells Mitchell to say hi to me. I was standing in line at the post office today when the lady in front of me had a little guy about 14 months. So cute. Another lady said to enjoy every moment because they grow so fast. It kind of brought a tear to my eye. Inside I'm thinking "Isn't that the truth, my baby is going to be 13 in 3 months." Nothing else going on around here. Pretty boring right now. The weather is almost 50 today. I took my one dog out for a walk. The only dog that doesn't pull me down the street. It was nice to have some fresh air.

MS Awareness Week

So what does that mean? Awareness Week. Well here in IL anyways, it means by the end of the week maybe a handful of people who didn't know what the disease is will know. I guess I should be happy that a handful will know. But is that enough? This awareness week comes and goes. I don't see the MS Society of IL doing very much to get the word out. Their website suggests seven things to do during this week.

Monday: Visit your local chapters website
Tuesday: Take action-contact your local members of Congress about supporting research
Wednesday: Sign up for the MS Walk or Bike MS
Thursday: Tell your friends, spread the word
Friday: Volunteer, show your support
Saturday: Make your mark, share your story with the world
Sunday: Donate to the society

Does anyone see what is wrong with this picture? Why are we, the ones with MS, having to do all the work. Why isn't the society doing commercials or ads in the paper. We just got our paperwork in the mail to sign up for the MS walk in May. I would say 80% of the people at those walks have MS. There isn't anything wrong with that except for the fact that most can't walk. Our local walk is only 3 miles. It used to be longer but someone complained and they made it shorter. This disease has been around for a very long time and still there aren't many people that know what it is. Even the basics. I'm not giving up, it isn't in my nature. I will keep talking about this disease so more people will have the knowledge. But I have done this for the past 10 years and I am tired. Now the disease is really taking its toll on me and I don't have the energy to keep doing this myself in my town.
So this week for MS Awareness week I am being more aware of my disease and what it is doing to me. Sorry if that sounds selfish but I need to take care of myself. What gets me so frustrated is that there were so many people that say they ar behind me and will help in any way they can. Then when I can't do much myself they are no where to be found. As much as I love my true friends it really isn't there responsibility and they are there for me as an individual. I can't remember who said it on a blog post I read. People won't do anything until it effects them. Sad but true. So when you find out your friend or someone you know has a disease or illness, what do you do to help make the situation better?

It's Starting!

So my sons cell phone rings tonight and who is it but a GIRL! He told me last night that a girl in school asked him out. So I had a talk with him about dating and what it means to him. Am I ready for this as a mom? What questions do I ask and what do I let him keep private. He is only in 7th grade for peets sake. Oh, his phone is ringing again and now it is the girls best friend asking questions. Let the fun begin. I guess I will need to make my hair appointments closer together to keep my grey hair covered. All these questions are spinning in my head. This is all new for me. Another time in my life I want my mom. Mitchell told me last night that if gramma was around she would have been the first person he told about the new girl. I thought that was so sweet. I have to admit, hearing Mitchell talk on the phone makes me smile. He is being so nice & polite. My brother says to hold on this is just the beginning.

My New MS Therapy

I would like to introduce Benjamin & Alexandra. They are 6 months old. My girlfriend Liz had these two amazing bundles of joy in August. Liz and I met when her oldest son Mark and Mitchell were in preschool together. we have been friends ever since. I go over to see the twins almost once a week. They are truly my therapy. After spending time with them nothing in the world seems so bad. They laugh and smile. I have never seen two babies so happy all the time. Ben and I share a special closeness. I think with him being a boy he reminds me so much of Mitchell when he was that age. Liz says she sees alot of Mitchell in Ben. Alexandra is a feisty one. She makes me laugh. Now that she is getting older we have bounded over my cell phone. Nothing makes her happier then me playing all my ringtones. These two little blessings have brought such happiness to my life. They don't judge you for having a bad ms day and love you just because you are there. Liz and I joke about them being my therapy. It has been so fun to watch them in just the 6 months they have been around. They are rolling over and trying to crawl. With the way I go on about them you would think they were my own. It just makes you take a step back and look at your life.