Cake Wrecks... must see

Ok so you have to check out this wonderful sight! Its all the things that can go wrong on cakes! Proffessional cakes! But they also post wonderful ones Its awesome and if you ever need a good laugh just go here!!!!!!!!!!
We are now in search of our first WRECK....

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

examples:::

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Naked Mohawk-Baby Carrot Jockeys

This cake is so disturbing, I'm almost glad the picture doesn't include the whole thing. The plastic clone babies wearing naught but mohawks are bad enough, but then they're also riding carrots. What do you do with that? It looks like some kind of perverted vegetable rodeo, or maybe a bizarre clone military exercise, what with their little plastic fists raised high in identical salutes.

And what kind of occasion calls for a "naked babies riding carrots" decor, anyway? No, wait, maybe I don't want to know...
and this is not even the best one she has on there!!! Check it out!

made me choke up a little

So this is an email I got from my math prof. that helped me so much! I was so touched. He is the sweetest man. It was so nice. I just don't know what to say.
to: bartlemm@indiana.edu
from: wheeler@indiana.edu

Dear Mindy,

Congratulations on achieving what you needed
in the face of all of the challenges and afflictions.
I'm very pleased for you and your family.

Best wishes for the future.

Sincerely,

Prof. Wheeler

Happy Anniversary

December 30th .... Andy and I have been married now for 8 years. (Feels a lot longer!!!!!!!!!) No I'm kidding. I've loved every minute of it and wouldn't trade any of it. (Yes I know its late.... he forgives me. :-)

Random Canadian Stuff

My really good friend Jenrie found this stuff and I just had to share.

so while searching for archaeology fieldwork jobs for the summer, i found one posting about a postition in canada... and after the job description and other related stuff, they randomly tacked this on:

These questions about Canada were posted on an International Tourism Website
and obviously the answers came from a fellow Canuck.

Q: I have never seen it warm on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them
die.

Q: Will I be able to see Polar Bears in the street?(USA)
A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Vancouver to Toronto - can I follow the railroad
tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it's only Four thousand miles, take lots of water.

Q: It is imperative that I find the names and addresses of places to contact
for a stuffed Beaver. (Italy)
A: Let's not touch this one.

Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Canada?(USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Ca-na-da
is that big country to your North . . . oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing
is every Tuesday night in Calgary. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is North in Canada? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and
we'll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can I bring cutlery into Canada? (UK)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which
is....oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in
Vancouver and in Calgary, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

So what happens in sub-zero weather?

drum roll please.....
yes this is on the inside of the windows!!! Oh and one morning our back door was frozen shut too!!!!!!!!!!

Probably one of the few political things you'll ever see here

1st up Autism Medicaid Waiver.

***ALERT: Make sure your VOTE counts. Click on the number to the left with "Vote" under it – it will change to “Voted”. Registering on this site and posting a comment is not a vote!***

National Priority for the Economic Stimulus Package: Fully Fund Medicaid

Funding health care and services for individuals with developmental disabilities, disabilities and the elderly creates jobs, careers, business opportunities while filling a critical need.

I propose that the federal government:
1. Fully fund the Medicaid Waiver Program as part of the next Economic Stimulus Package.
2. Consider this as an increased federal match so that states are not put into an impossible situation.
3. Create portability of services across states and counties as is allowed with Medicare and Social Security.

Facts:
*Across America, an estimated 300,000 people cannot obtain essential support to live and work in the community because of lack of funding.

*Institutional care costs $88-$225,000 per person per year depending on the level of care. Community-based care costs $20-$75,000 per year (varies by state and level of care).

* Waivers are not portable. Families cannot move out of state or even out of their current county in some places for military duty, to accept jobs, or to live closer to family because they must go to the bottom of decades-long waiting lists at their new location.

Benefits of this proposal:
1). Job creation in the form of service providers. $12-$15B per year would create an estimated 244,000 jobs.
2). Community living costs less than institutionalization.
3). Parents and affected individuals can return to their careers, earn income, pay taxes and obtain health insurance.
4). Some families will come off public assistance which reduces overall tax burden.
5). Families will be able to move to accept new jobs or military assignments.
6). Improved health of affected people and caregivers.
7). Reduced financial burden on aging parents.

Stay involved in this issue: Email noewait@noewait.net

- Renee Beauregard

Hello Everyone:

We are now about half way through second phase of voting on > Change.org to bring attention to funding medicaid waivers as part of the new economic stimulus package. If we make it to
the top 10, our idea will be presented to the new administration at a press conference at the National Press Club. We are #20 and need an immediate infusion of 1400 votes to get to #10, then we need to continue to keep pace with the other ideas.
We have had tremendous support from many organizations that are endorsing this idea. You can also submit your endorsement on the site. Most of all, however, we need many votes.

Please tell send an email to your listserv if you have one and as many contacts as possible to vote:
http://www.change. org/ideas/ view/fully_ fund_medicaid_ waivers_for_ the_developmenta lly_disabled

Voting Ends January 15.

People need to know that a vote only registers if they click on the number at the top of the page. Commenting is great, but it does not register a vote. We have over 400 comments from families across the country.

Thanks for helping if you can,
Renee Beauregard
Aurora, CO
Next up..... going green.....

Replace the South Lawn of the White House with an Organic Garden.

In a recent New York Times Magazine article, Michael Pollan, author of “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto," suggested that the next "Farmer in Chief" replace the South Lawn of the White House with an organic garden. The move would be intended to a) reduce the unnecessary use of petrochemicals and overuse of water on maintaining the lawn b) provide food for regional food banks and c) "[build] on America’s agrarian past [while turning] it toward a more sustainable, sophisticated future."

I strongly encourage Mr. Obama to take Mr. Pollan's sound, thoughtful advice.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html?pagewanted=9&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

"The Autism Reform Act of 2009"

As a country we have watched Autism Spectrum Disorders grow in a devastating number. there are over 560K Children, approx. 1 mil. total in the U.S. with A.S.D.'s. In the last decade it has spiraled so quickly out of control that:

1.) There must not just be one person but an ENTIRE U.S. OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE.

2.) The use of Time Out Rooms, Corporal punishments, uncalled for Restraint(unauthorized by parent) must be STOPPED NOW with severe fines and convictions.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/17/seclusion.rooms/index.html

http://www.autismvox.com/boy-dies-wrapped-in-weighted-blanket/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8RlcIRkBkw

3.) States must each have an "A.R.A. compliance office" or forfiet funds made available through this ACT.

4.) Due Process Hearing Officers shall be employed by the Federal Government ONLY.

5.) Insurance companies and School Districts must collaberate to provide the Early Interventions at no cost to parents.

6.) Speech/Language, O.T., Sensory Integration, and other therapies must be made available.

7.) Protection and Advocacy MUST be funded properly.

8.) Grants must be made for Education, Research, and Non Profits re; A.S.D.'s.

9.) Relief for parents who have paid out of pocket to educate their children must be made swiftly with 100% reimbursement.

10.) Behavior Intervention Plans must accompany all Individual Education Plans even if it is to state " No Behaviors ".

11.) Testing at parent or adult discretion re: toxins that may affect an individuals ability to learn or live functionally.

12.) Insurance companies must make available all resources for children and adults with A.S.D.'s deemed necessary by their physician.

13.) Non Attorney Advocates and Self Advocates are recognized.

14.) This Reform Act must be 'open' for additions as needed and create a panel of 15 Indiduals - Adults w/Autism, Parents, and Specialists. We May Not agree on all of this BUT, ONE THING WE MUST ALL AGREE ON - AUTISM REFORM !

All 3 of these are on change.org, you have to sign up for an account and then confirm it, then you can vote. But I think this may be one of the few times I'll do something like this. Andy I think they are worth looking at. Especially when it only costs you a few minutes on the computer. Thats my political rant. I'm dont now. love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I went on strike!

SO sorry its been so long inbetween posts. I havent touched a computer since school let out except to turn on a youtube video for the kids. So that is why today has been a catchup for the last month. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas....

Ok we are going to try to do this in an orderly fashion. Since we have multiple Christmas' at in our family and we don't have pics from all of them. So first was on December 21st (Sunday, the day after graduation) This was my mom's side and the kids made out like bandits!!! Oh my gosh!!!!!! And the amazing thing is that only 1 present was a duplicate and that was easily fixed because that present was from us and so we just took it back and got something else! It looks like I took 5 pictures that day. How did that happen?!?!?!?!?!?! But it was great cause it was the first Christmas in a long time that my Aunt Marcia and Uncle David had been home for I think since Andy and I have been married. The funniest little gift the kids got were these little robotic bugs. So cute! The run around the tables/floors and when thier antenna feel something they back up and turn around. So fun!!!!
Then we have Christmas Eve at my Dad's side (of which I have no pics! I'll have to get those from Uncle Wayne. It was cute, because there are at least 25-30 of us we all draw names and buy for that one person. For the kids us parents, this year, buy a gift (in our case 3) and they go into a big pile. Each child picks one gift and they they rip them all open at once. Plus Grandma Pete (the kids Great Grandma Pete) gets them each something. Then they run and wreak havoc in someother part of the house. Dimon tried to help Uncle Wayne do his taxes by throwing one years worth way up in the air!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh.... Anyway we headed home about 9 pm and went to Nana and Papa's house for a Christmas sleep.

This was the result of Santa's elves staying up till 330 -4 am. What is sad is that some of the wrapping was done 1-2 days before. But some things also took almost a whole roll of wrapping paper to wrap! So its really not as big as it looks, but we still had a great time. The kids were really excited. Izzy's fave toy was (I think) a Wii game, Wall-E and a Battle Dome for her Pokemon. Xander's fave is between a toolbox from Handy Manny (cartoon on Disney, so cute!) and of course his cars stuff. Dimon's fave was an Imaginex Jungle set that has a mountain that growls at him (sometimes it scares him though.) And he also got a bouncy rocky horse. All of the kids love this, so i think it was the biggest hit. It has to live at Nana and Papa's house, cause we just don't have room for it.

My favorite gift was from my parents and brother. They for my graduation/Christmas have given me and Andy an all paid trip to Disney for the whole family! We are going in March, for Spring Break!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then later on in the day we went to Andy's side of the family, for which I also don't have any pics for. Will have to get pics from David. It was a little chaotic but the kids had fun.
All and all it was a great Christmas and we hope that everyone else had an amazing Christmas!

Do we really need to say anything else?

Snowflake Festival

December 13Th (Saturday)
So, another thing that happens around here in December is The Snow Flake Festival. This is put on by the Children's Therapy Clinic, which












is where both Izzy and Xan go once a week, Xan for Speech and Occupational therapy, Izzy for Speech. These people are amazing. The efforts that go into this to make the kids happy and enjoy themselves is just...... wow. Last year when they went they had a great time. This year we were a little later and didn't have time to make ornaments. But we played all the games, saw Santa, got presents and had a very sugary breakfast. And we actually have a good family pic!!!!!!!!! Thanks to one really nice therapist!!!!!!!! Then we took pictures with all of the kids therapists. Izzy and Callie ( I hope I spelled that right!) And Xander with Emily and RRachel and Marlene. The kids had a great time and so did we. This year it was held at the Ivy Tech banquet hall. (Cafeteria I think) but it was a huge space and really nice!!!!!!!!! We want to thank all the people who worked so hard and help our kids so much!!!!!!!!!

Fuzzy People

So since I hadn't put up any pics of the 6 new residents in our home (5 of which are temporary) here they are, one big fur ball. And also Admiral SnowBeard, whom many of you have not seen since he was little, little! So really here are 7 of our fuzzy family members. The other 2 were camera shy that day.

Way back in December

December 6th.....
Izzy went to her 2nd Tae Kwon Do Tournament. She did awesome!
Here are a few pictures. The woman she is standing with is her Master, Mrs. Bosstick. She rocks, I really don't think that I could even begin to do half of what she does with all these kids. But Izzy did great. Andy, Ti-Chi and Chi-Chi took her. I had a math test that day and my parents took the boys. But we got some awesome pictures and video. She had to do 2 form sets and next time she will be competing with in the weapons category. I think that the next tournament is in February.

...........................................

Graduation

So here are a few pics from Grad. It was on Saturday December 20th at 10am. For those of you who didn't know, please don't feel bad. I didn't tell anyone. I was very unsure about my Spanish and math grades and didn't even pick up my gown until Friday afternoon. And I went through Grad without knowing my Math grade. But it worked, cause I did pass all my classes!!!!!!!!!!!! So here are a few pics. I'm not sure what was going on with the camera, I suspect it has something with the setting, so we have really no good pics. But here is what we have.
I'll post more if anyone has them. I'm pretty sure Dave took some and I also have the ones from Chadon's Photography that I can at least scan in. But here is the best of the bunch we have.
I GRADUATED!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE PUT UP WITH MY GRUMPINESS, MOODINESS, HATEFULNESS AND STRESS. I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT HAS MEANT AS I'VE STRUGGLED TO FINISH SCHOOL AND THOUGH I MAY NOT HAVE TOLD YOU I LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE THAT YOU KNOW THAT!