16 and Pregnant

I am pretty sure that I have said this on here before that I love reality tv. A while ago as I was channel surfing, I stumbled upon the show 16 and Pregnant on MTV. Now, I normally am not a fan of MTV. As I started watching the show, I couldn't help but feel so sad for these girls. Don't get me wrong, I understand that they made the choice to have sex and unprotected sex at that, but it is hard watching these girls struggle to make the right decisions when it comes to the baby. The hardest part for me is that these girls think that their boyfriends are going to be there for them and their child and then their boyfriend dumps them or cheats on them or whatever. Anyways, I just watched an episode and just felt so bad for the girl. Her boyfriend broke up with her when she told him that she was pregnant. I guess they got back together and then he broke up with her again, got back together, and the cycle just continued. Maybe it is because I am older and am not as naive as I used to be, but I want to reach into the tv and tell these girls to kick these guys to the curb and focus on their child and their future.

So, I guess my question for you is, do you think that this show is helpful or hurtful for teen girls? I read an article today about it and I am kind of split on how I feel about it. I think that teenagers need to see the struggles that these girls go through, not just with their boyfriends, but with school, their parents, and their friends. On the other hand, a lot of these girls think that having a baby is just going to be like dressing up a doll. So, what do you think?

Had To Share

Our Weekend In Tacoma

Bryce and I went over to Tacoma this past weekend for the state wrestling tournament. Since, this was my first time at state, I really had no clue what it was all about. Friday afternoon, we checked into the hotel and went straight to the Tacoma Dome. We then proceeded to sit there for the next 6 hours watching wrestling. Yes, I said 6 hours! The worst part was that I forgot to bring my book with me and I don't have a smart phone, so I sat there completely bored. Don't get me wrong, there were some good matches, but I didn't know any of the kids wrestling. So, Saturday morning started at 7 a.m. Way to early to be up on a Saturday morning! Off we went to the dome for another long day of wrestling. This time however, I brought a book. The Warden boys and girls did great! Actually, the girls placed the highest they ever have at state this year. After we ate lunch, I stayed back at the hotel and rested and cried because I missed my kids. As much as they drive me CRAZY, I really do miss being away from them longer than a day. Anyways, the Warden boys placed 3rd overall and the girls tied for 6th. The best part of the whole weekend was when we stopped at North Bend and got the kids some clothes. Carter had some super cute dresses! We ended up spending way too much money, but it was totally worth it. The kids had a great time with Kylee and the rest of the Buck's. I cannot thank them enough for watching the kids for us. I think the kids were even a little glad to see us.

Update on Cooper

Thursday afternoon, I decided to take Cooper back to the doctor. I am very gald that I did now. Come to find out, his infection came back as strep. So, the medicine that they had him on (Septra) doesn't work on strep. So, Dr. Bond put him on Amoxicillin. And holy cow, Cooper took it! I was so excited!! Today, I ended up taking him back because it still didn't look good. Cooper got his antibiotic strength upped and some Bactriban to put on his finger. Now, I am worried because the Amoxicillin is now orange, not pink. So, I hope that he will take his medicine. Either that or I am going to ask them to just cut his finger off!!

Update on Cooper

Well, the infection is not MRSA or staph. So, that is great news! But, he still isn't taking his medicine. Bryce said that we should just soak his finger like we are supposed to and that should take care of the infection. I sure hope so because I don't like holding him down and forcing him to take it.

Randoms

I have come to realize that our kids are going to pick up all of our bad habits. They both bite their nails (I do that) and Cooper chews on his fingers (Bryce does that). So, on Thursday I noticed that his pointer finger on his left hand looked infected right below the nail. I tried to put some neosporin and a bandaid on it, but Cooper wouldn't leave it on. By Friday, it was looking mighty bad. So, I took him to the walk in clinic and yep, it was definitely infected. The doctor told me to soak it 3 times a day in warm water and Epsom salts. He also prescribed an antibiotic. I really thought that the soaks wouldn't be so bad. You stick your finger in water for a few minutes. What's the big deal? I knew we were going to have some issues with Cooper taking the antibiotic.

We get home and I try to get him to do the soak. Oh my goodness! It was horrible! I eventually got him to soak his finger for a few minutes. Now, the really hard part was at hand. Cooper refused to take his medicine. Did I mention that he is supposed to take it 3 times a day, as well?? Well, I have tried just about everything to get him to take it. I have put it in soooo many different things (from food to drinks) and he always says it tastes funny. No, he doesn't see me put it in there. So, I held him down and tried to force him to take it. Yeah, that didn't go so well. Brye figured he could hold him down and get him to take it. Yeah, not so much. So, Sunday morning, before church, I held him down while Bryce stuck a syringe in his mouth and gave him his medicine that way. He still didn't get the whole amount that he was supposed to, but I guess it is better than nothing. So, today, I again called the walk in clinic and spoke with a nurse. I asked her if there was anyway that we could get the antibiotic changed and she said no. That the medicine that they have him on is in case the wound culture comes back as MRSA and there is no other substitution. She said, "You just have to make him take it." I wanted to ask her did she have kids because it is easier said than done. Hopefully, the wound culture came back today and hopefully it is not MRSA that way we can get it changed. I know that I am about to sound like my mom here (as well as many other moms), but I really hope that Cooper has a child just like him!!




Friday night, I was able to go out with some friends and go see the new movie Valentine's Day. Oh my gosh! It was so good. I laughed and I cried. It was some much needed time away from the kids, even if it was for just a couple of hours. I also thought I would share a picture of the beautiful tulips that Bryce got me for Valentine's day. Even if it was a couple of days early!

What Makes You Feel Pretty?

Today, I got my hair cut and colored. It had been 6 months since I had last gotten my hair trimmed. So, it was definitely time! I absolutely love it! I only got 3 inches cut off and my layers re-worked, but man, I can tell a difference! I actually feel pretty for once and I think it makes me look a little younger, which I really needed right now as the dreaded 3-0 is in a couple of months. Anyways, so what makes you feel pretty?

Who Dat?

Well, the Saints won! It was an awesome game! There were a couple of funny commercials, with the doritos and the casual Friday being my favorite. Now, the chant for the Saints is the whole who dat song. I found that it originally came from When The Saints Go Marching In that was sung by Aaron Neville in 1983. I found this video on Youtube and thought it was pretty good. So, enjoy and tell me what your favorite commercial was!

Super Bowl XLIV

VS

Tomorrow is the last day for professional football. Until, next fall that is. If I had to pick who would win, I would say the Colts. I have been a Colts fan for awhile. I love the Manning brothers!! But, I have always follwed Peyton since he was a quarterback for the University of Tennessee. So, ideally, I would love for the Colts to win. However, it is always nice for the underdog to pull out a win too. And heavens knows, the Saints deserve it! Maybe we will all be singing Who dat? tomorrow. In case you don't know what it is, here are the words: "Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints? Who dat? Who dat?" Either way it will be a great game! Oh, and if the game sucks, at least the commercials should be good!

SMA & Dakin

**I know this post is long, but I would love it if you read through it all. This post is about a very special little boy who needs your help.***

For many women (and some men), blogging is a way to vent, share their ideas, document their lives, and sometimes even find lifelong friends. One of the women that I have come to know is Devon. She is the most amazing woman! But, more than that she has the most beautiful little boy named Dakin. Dakin has SMARD, Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress (SMARD) is part of the Spinal Muscular Atrophy family of disease. Dakin was 3 months old when he was diagnosed with SMARD. This is the description of Dakin's blog, come along as we chronicle the adventures of a small super hero who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress. We know you will feel the joy that he radiates and find hope in his smile. The first thing that caught my attention when I first started reading about Dakin's journey, was his smile. Seriously, he looks like he is one of the happiest kids on earth!

One of the great things about the blogging world is the inspiration and courage that you get from others. When I think about all that Devon does on a day to day basis, it just amazes me. Here I am complaining about Cooper being a stinker, when I should really be focusing on how lucky I am to have a healthy child. From Devon's blog, I have read about so many other families and their stories about how they live their lives with SMA. The SMA community is a very tight nit community. The parents are there for each other through the good times and the bad. And sometimes it seems like there are more bad times than good. It breaks my heart reading about the families who have lost a child to this disease and the struggles that they face daily. These are some of the strongest people you will ever meet.

I guess the reason why I am sharing Devon and Dakin's story is to help spread the word about SMA. SMA is the number 1 genetic killer of children under the age of 2. There is currently no treatment and no cure, but the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) selected SMA as the disease closest to treatment of more than 600 neurological disorders.Researchers estimate that we are as close as only a few years away from finding a treatment and/or cure.Because scientists know so much about SMA, SMA is considered a "model" disease with direct impact on research into many other diseases potentially benefiting millions of people. Please take 30 seconds and sign the Petition to Cure SMA. This landmark legislation will help SMA afflicted kids as well as a host of other neuromuscular diseases, and perhaps Dakin's as well. Please help us and pass the word along!! www.petitiontocuresma.com

I think I could go on and on about Devon, Dakin, and the many other families out there that are struggling to find a cure for this disease. Please visit Devon and Dakin at their blog http://ventsuperman.blogspot.com/. Lastly, I would like to leave this poem with you that I found on the internet. It was written by Kim Ambrose. Devon, this is for you.

Little boy, my little man, light and love of my life,
So precious, so gentle, you are my shelter, my shining light.
You are totally dependant on me, on your own there is nothing you can do,
But little man, this may surprise you, for I am just as dependant on you.

We seem to make each other stronger, just by us being together,
Sometimes when I hold you, I wish that moment would last forever.
At times when things get me down, I want to just sit with you for a while,
So you can speak to me with your eyes, and run to me with your smile.

Moments we've spent together are some of the happiest I've ever had,
I want to laugh with you when you are happy, and cry with you when you are sad.
I want us to lean on each other as we continue to grow together,
Because the love I have for you, little man, is a love that will last forever.

Some people may see a mountain and think it's much too high to climb,
But to you and I it's simply another hill, it's just a bit bigger this time.
We have some challenges ahead of us, but together these challenges we'll
get through,
And I thank God everyday for this special gift, this special gift that is you.

Happy Groundhog's Day!

Well, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, which means six more weeks of winter. Now for those of us living in Washington, this has been a very mild winter this year. So, I guess six more weeks of winter won't be too bad. Since I grew up in the south, we always had Gen. Beauregard Lee to tell us whether will have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. Today, Gen. Beauregard Lee did not see his shadow. So, the south should be having an early spring this year, which I know they will love since it has been colder than normal this winter. Hope everyone has a great Groundhog's Day!