A Couple of My Favorite Pictures!

Mom, Daniellie and Dad after the dress rehearsal of "Arise and Shine Forth".  Dani was excited and extremly tired.

Danielle after discovering her natural beauty along with our dog Grizzly!

"Are We There Yet?"

I can not believe it is almost the end of July already.  This summer has found me and my family extremly busy.  Not only working full time but with our church activities, getting ready for school, actually getting ready for that big transition into "High School"!  Since my last blog entry, Dani has been actively involved in one of our church functions.  For the past two years a program called "Arise and Shine Forth...a Youth Spectacular" has been in the planning stages.  And within the last six months, practices, learning the dance routines along with song and dance has been in earnest.  And just two weekends ago, the big performance took place here at our Weber State University Stadium.  This event had 3400 youth involved, 500 adult volunteers, hours of practice, volunteers sewing costumes, etc.  And with the weather here this year being extremely hot, the performance was wonderful.  I will include a couple of pictures to give you an idea of what was going on.  But in the long run, it was a fabulous experience for Dani.  She learned the dance in record time, all the songs, went diligently to all the practices and walked away with a best friend, her dance partner in fact.  She has grown not only in her abilities to handle situations but also her testimony in Christ.  For those who read my blog, in case you didn't know, I am "mormon" and if that turns you off from my blog, so goes it, but that is what I love about America, freedom to worship my Heavenly Father in whatever fashion I choose.

Since this performance, it has been imperative that Dani start really learning her life skills because a lot of time I wasn't able to be home to get her to places.  I worked with her case worker and she was able to get Dani a bus pass so she can get around, which does make me nervous because some of her judgement impairments and this next week will be a big test. She and her good friend are taking the city bus down to one of our water parks.  Mom here has to start letting go somehow and sometime and since we start high school next month I had better prepare myself along with her.  We haven't argued like we use too, we still have issues with chores before pleasure which will be an ongoing struggle I believe for a very long time.  She has become more responsible when it comes to preparing meals and taking care of herself.  She has made the break-away (Thank God) from her so called "girlfriends" who were influencing her on how she dressed and how much make-up she wears.  It was during the time of the performances that she called me into the bathroom and said "Mom, I am pretty without that make-up.  I just need a little lip gloss".  And she has stayed true to that discovery!  So here are some of my favorite pictures.  I will also in another blog put my little video of her dancing with her partner.

This is just the beginning of the program and just a small part of how many youth participated in this program.  The age range was 14-19 years of age.

The picture above is just one of the many practices.  Dani is just on the left side of the 50 yard line post in the white Tee-Shirt.

And this is Danielle's dance group, they did the "Hoe-Down" dance. Dani is in there somewhere!  From what I believe, this is once in a life-time for these kids and it is an experience they soon will not forget!

Hello Fellow Bloggers!

For the past three weekends we have been camping and ATVing and I think I have had my fill of camping this summer.  Just takes the stuffing out of you.  Not so much as the camping but the riding.  My favorite part is sitting in my little recliner chair, under our camper awning with a good book on my lap and a soda by my side...also with the knowledge that Dani is having a good time playing with her cousins and riding.  But each trip doesn't go without an incident.  An incident which proves that these kids live constantly with the wicked FASD!

As one of Dani's rules, she would ride our ATV down the path, just a little ways, to the out-house.  Last weekend, as she was coming back, some jerk, and I say that lightly because I am trying to be polite, came up behind her, reving his atv motor, scaring her half to death to where she rode our atv off a little ledge into the creek.  No major damage to the vehicle but she cut her knees up pretty good.  I as so mad I got on my sister in law's atv and went looking for the idiot but luckily my husband stopped me.  I was so MAD!  It was a pretty good ledge too, but it shows that these kids have no reaction time when startled.  They can't think and react as fast as they need to.  That is one of the reasons why Dani's doctor told her and us that she should not drive.  Scared me and her.  My sweet husband handled it perfectly.  Dani was so scared that dad was mad at her, but he wasn't.  We were sitting in camping when we heard someone screaming "HELP".  The men got up and ran and sure enough, they found Dani.  Mike made sure she was okay and nothing was broken and my niece brought her back to camp, that is when I went hunting for the creep.  Just glad that weekend is over.

So now, it's back to sheer bordom for Dani.  I am back to work, my sweet husband is back on the rode and we keep looking forward to the next time we can get out of town.  It does our family good to get away for at least a couple of days.

The two pictures is of Dani with her Uncle Don and the other one with her cousing Shawn.

I Need a Vacation to Recover from Vacation!

Well, I survived vacation, the days away from family and friends and alone with my husband was wonderful! We had a wonderful Anniversary/Father's Day.  The weather was fantastic!  Couldn't ask for better and even with the knowledge that Dani was safe and having a wonderful time was helpful too!  She arrived in Burbank in one piece, had a wonderful time and even her trip home, with the layover in Vegas was fantastic.  SouthWest Airlines is the only way I will fly from now on.  They were so prepared for her and someone was there every step of the way.  I had no reason to worry...yea right, ask a mom not to worry?  But she is home now and it's back to normal life.  But today I find myself extremely exhausted.  All I want to do is sleep.  Which after I am done with this entry I will probably go lay down again.

Dani's trip was wonderful for her.  She got to spend some much needed time with one of her favorite sisters.  They did shopping, worked on her hair and make-up, went to Magic Mountain, to the beach and I knew she was safe and sound.  When she got off the plane last night I was prepared to see her hair all funky but they dyed it black and she had clip on pink streaks.  I thought she looked cute, okay...cool! I'll put the picture in once it get it off my camera tonight.

Traveling with FASD...Let Us Pray!

As we all know, tomorrow morning Dani takes off...in a jet plane to Southern California by way of Oakland then down to Burbank.  Then when she comes home she leaves Burbank, stops in Vegas for a two hour layover.  TWO HOUR LAYOVER...DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH FEAR THAT PUTS INTO MY HEART AND SOUL?  I AM SO NERVOUS I AM DRIVING MY WHOLE FAMILY NUTS! Anyway, Dani and I went through her suitecase day before yesterday and by the time I got things pulled out, her suitecase literally lost probably 5-10lbs.  Kids with FASD have no conception of what is right and wrong to pack, they just "feel a need, fill that need".  So not only did she pack her clothes (good job Dani) she had packed two rolls of duct tape, a knee brace, wrist brace, and an ace bandage.  Then there was a huge jewelery box with key for her bracelets she is making.  I just had to smile because to her that was so important, but it was a learning lesson too.  We got things fixed and ready to go.

Now the fear part.  I don't worry about her traveling there because she just stops in Oakland, doesn't get off the plane and continues to Burbank.  The way home?  So this is what I have done.  When your kids travel alone call the airline and have them make a note on the passenger list, with their name.  They have special categories for disabilities or disabled passengers.  For Dani it was "developmentally delayed". That gives the crew a heads-up about my daughter.  Second, the child does not go to the plane alone.  As long as the parent and the other person on the other end of the trip, has a copy of the itinerary, along with a valid form of ID, that person can go to the plane.  But when you go to the check-in to pick up or drop off, strongly mention your child has special needs.  That is how Dani is being picked up in Burbank.  My daughter has her itinerary and id, but only one person is allowed back there.

So in Vegas, this is what I have planned.  As soon as Dani gets off the plane she is to turn on her phone.  I have a printed out map of the terminal that houses SouthWest Airlines.  I will already know ahead of time what gate she will be at.  And I will be able to guide her to where she is to go.  I already also know where the eating places are, restrooms, etc so even though I am up here in Utah, I will still be connected.  Second plan...I have written out a brief note that Dani can hand to any airline personnel that briefly explaines who I am, that my daughter is FASD and she needs help finding her gate and if that person can't help at least guide her as best as possible.  But I am hoping more for the phone call.  Thank God for cell phones.  She has a preloaded debit card that is all her own, case in her wallet, some hiding for the trip back and some for when she gets there.  Then there is the emergency medical treatment card, that's all done and since my husband and I will be in the mountains, my oldest daughter will be our representative until we are located. 

So I think I've got all the bases covered.  My sweet husband asked if I will be able to relax once she is on the plane and my response?   Hell yes!  That is until the time comes when she leaves, which we will be on our way home from camping.  Wish us luck!

I Knew It...I Knew It...I KNEW IT!

Well, I knew it, like I mentioned before, just when things are going good, and I mean real good, I kicked right in the gut.  And maybe I am taking this too hard because I knew it would happen but it doesn't make it any easier.

Over the weekend I went to Costco and bought two tubs of the most delicious pasta salad.  It's one of Dani's favorite snack foods...anyway, she gobbled the first container and I told her she wasn't to have any of the second one, leaving it for dad and I.  Today being Monday, the funds are pretty limited right now and Dani had made a list of things she needed for her upcoming trip to California and we needed some groceries.  I gave her a choice, food or her stuff, she choose stuff. So we are on our way home from the craft store and she asks what is for dinner, I said "what a minute, you had your choice, food or stuff and you choose stuff".  She said "oh, that's right".  I said "besides there is chicken and pasta still at home...there still is pasta right?" She said "well dad had some this morning and he said the noodles were brown and for me to throw it away."  I called dad and he said he didn't even have any but noticed that Dani was snacking on it last night...after I went to bed.  So, when we pulled into the driveway I checked the garbage and sure enough, the container was there and just a little was left in the container, the noodles looked great.  I had just spent close to $50.00 on her to get her on her trip and she lied to me.  Now I understand that lying is a part of the FASD world, but come on...I was sooo looking forward to having some pasta and chicken.  Talk about feeling like a "SUCKER"!  So right now, I am not even talking to her, I don't know what to say!  I knew what reality dictates but it doesn't take away the feelings a parent has when the other shoe drops.  So can I just say "I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE PLANE TO LEAVE FRIDAY MORNING" And it will be five wonderful days with just my husband.

To Be Young Again...

This is Danielle and two of my granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Kyla.  We just arrived at the Tree House in Ogden.  The Tree House is a different version of the children's museum.  I've never been there since they moved it and renovated, it was quite awesome.  There was so much activity today and so much to see, the kids were really excited.  I enjoyed being mom and grandma, just walking around, taking pictures and looking at the smiles on the kids faces.

Of course this gave Danielle a chance to let her hair down and not worry so much about being 15 years old.  Here she is being creative as always with drawing dinosaurs.

Danielle thought this was cool a way to get in connection with her African/American ancestry.  Actually, Danielle loves anything that has to do with music.  When we were done, we all went out for ice cream.  But before we got to the Tree House we spent some time at Costco, not only doing some shopping but also getting a hot dog/drink/or pizza for lunch.